Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 441: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the number of complaints from each of the centres operated under the Reception and Integration Agency; the number of complaints for each centre for each year in the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16592/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 443: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of residents committees that are recognised and meet on a regular basis in the centres operated on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16594/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 446: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on setting up an independent appeals process for residents of centres run on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency who are in conflict or who have complaints against the management company or their staff. [16597/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 448: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of appeals received regarding the conditions of the direct provision centres, the treatment by staff, the food quality, the lack of facilities and so on by the Reception and Integration Agency in the past five years; the number that were upheld; and the number refused. [16599/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 449: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will provide a list of organisations, representatives who can act as advocates for residents of direct provision centres in their dealings with the management companies or staff when making a complaint or raising concerns regarding the centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16600/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 441, 443, 446, 448 and 449 together.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA's portfolio of accommodation comprises 63 centres across 22 counties with over 6,850 residents at present.

Every asylum seeker accommodated by the RIA is provided with a copy of the "Direct Provision Reception & Accommodation Centre Services, Rules and Procedures". This booklet is available in 6 languages, including English. The booklet includes information on services provided at centres, House Rules, complaints procedures, child protection and fire safety. I am arranging for a copy of this booklet to be sent to the Deputy for his information.

The day-to-day operation of centres is governed by the "Direct Provision Reception & Accommodation Centre Services, Rules and Procedures", incorporating a Complaints Procedure, which clearly outlines the obligations placed both on residents and centre management. These rules were agreed in 2002 and are the subject of an ongoing review involving, inter alia, RIA, representatives of centre managers, the Refugee Information Services and the Irish Refugee Council. This review group is expected to conclude its deliberations within the next few months. I understand that many of the issues raised in the Deputy's series of questions have been the subject of discussion by this review group and it would improper to address them by way of answers to these questions in advance of the review group making its report.

By way of general background, the RIA, centre managers and indeed residents themselves endeavour (and succeed in the main) to resolve issues arising at centres locally and informally. Indeed, the underlying theme of the complaints procedure is that problems are best resolved quickly, locally and informally. On occasion, formal warnings are issued where required and appropriate action taken if these warnings are not heeded. The RIA treats very seriously all complaints, incident reports and queries received by it from residents, support groups, public representatives, management and staff of centres and others.

The RIA does not compile statistics on the number of complaints or appeals received or actions taken following on from such complaints or appeals. If such statistics were to be compiled, they could not properly reflect the number and nature of such complaints and appeals or the resolutions reached because of the high level of informal activity conducted locally between centre staff, residents and others. However, the RIA does monitor all centres and follows up where spikes in volumes or types of complaint or incident are noticeable. In such cases, the RIA will meet with management, residents and their representatives as appropriate in order to get an understanding of the issues and to assist in resolving such issues through consultation and appropriate action.

The setting up of residents committees is a matter for residents themselves. The RIA engages with formal residents committees as well as other, more informal groups in its centres. It needs to be emphasised that such resident committees cannot serve to block the direct relationship between centre management and the resident, which is critical in ensuring that the rights and obligations on both parties are respected. It is difficult to have entirely representative committees in centres given the differing nationalities residing there and that certain individuals and certain national or ethnic groups prefer to pursue their concerns directly with centre management.

The RIA conducts information clinics, centre inspections, formal and informal visits and attends meetings with residents groups, support groups, service providers and others who engage with the direct provision centres. While there are not formal residents committees in all centres, opportunities to engage with RIA and the staff of centres as a group or as individuals exist in all cases.

In relation to food, the RIA places particular emphasis on meeting, to the greatest extent possible, the dietary needs of residents and, in this regard, 28-day menu cycles are in place in all large centres. In small centres menus are cycled on a 7-day or 14-day basis. The menus offered reflect the reasonable needs of the different ethnic groups and the reasonable prescribed dietary needs of any person accommodated in direct provision centres.

Where there are children in centres, a selection of baby foods and yoghurts must be on display and available. In the case of infants, infant formula, infant food and fresh water for the preparation of infant formula must be available. As regards school-going children, a packed lunch to include at least a sandwich, fruit and a beverage are provided.

All contractors are required to consult regularly with residents to ascertain what foods they prefer and how such foods should be cooked. These meetings are particularly important where many ethnic groups may be accommodated in the same centre. Every effort is made to ensure that the ethnic and dietary needs of residents are met. However, maintaining this on a daily basis for all the different ethnic groups can sometimes prove difficult. Menus are kept under review and are revised from time to time with a view to meeting the ethnic dietary needs of residents to the greatest extent possible.

Regular inspections of centres by RIA staff and by an Independent Inspectorate are carried out and appropriate measures are taken where the requirements of residents are not being met. In addition, RIA staff, including senior management, regularly eat in centres to ensure that the fare on offer is of the standard required.

The Deputy might also wish to note that the RIA has accommodated 49,100 asylum seekers since 2000 and the overwhelming majority of these residents have spent their time in RIA accommodation in a peaceful and satisfactory fashion. There are currently 96 nationalities represented by those currently being accommodated by the RIA. Residents are facilitated with additional on-site supports such as GP and Public Health Nurse services, Community Welfare, preschool facilities, play facilities, English language supports etc. Furthermore, local support groups play an active role with residents and greatly assist them during their time in direct provision accommodation and beyond.

Residents can make representations to the Reception and Integration Agency directly or through third parties, including local support groups, other NGOs, State service providers, health professionals, political representatives and so on. The RIA will engage with all parties making representations on behalf of asylum seekers resident in direct provision accommodation.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the minimum space and housing requirements per person when the Reception and Integration Agency is selecting centres to house asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16593/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. The RIA has a portfolio of 63 centres across 22 counties accommodating over 6,850 asylum seekers. The portfolio comprises system built centres, hostels, hotels and former holiday centres. Since 2000, the RIA has accommodated 49,100 asylum seekers in direct provision. There are currently 96 nationalities in direct provision accommodation.

In all asylum seeker direct provision centres, contractors are obliged, on foot of a Memorandum of Agreement with the RIA, to ensure that their premises comply with and operate in accordance with all relevant statutory requirements of local authorities in relation to planning, building, bye-laws, bedroom capacity, food, food hygiene, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions, minimum pay, legally binding industrial or sectoral agreements and health and general safety, including:

Employment Permit Act, 2003;

European Communities (Drinking Water) Regulations 2000;

European Communities (Hygiene of Foodstuffs) Regulations 2000 and 2005;

European Communities (Official Control of Foodstuffs) Regulations 1998;

Fire Services Acts, 1981 and 2003;

Food Hygiene Regulations, 2000;

Housing Acts, 1966 to 2004;

Industrial Relations Acts 1946 to 2004;

National Minimum Wage Act 2000;

Planning and Development Acts 2000 to 2005;

Private Security Services Act, 2004;

Safety, Health & Welfare at Work Act, 2005;

Tourist Traffic Acts, 1939 to 2003;

The contractor's compliance includes any statutory modification or re-enactment of any of the above; and any other relevant Act or Regulations as may be notified by the Minister to the proprietor or contractor. The Housing Acts, 1966 to 2004 in particular deal with minimum space requirements for accommodation. The Memorandum of Agreement places other obligations on the contractor in relation to reception, management and staff issues, menus and food for infants and school-going children, maintenance of the property and fire and safety standards.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 444: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the amount spent on each centre run by the Reception and Integration Agency each year for the past five years; the number of residents in each centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16595/08]

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 445: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the companies and their beneficial owners currently engaged and tasked with the management of the centres run on behalf of the Reception and Integration Agency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16596/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 444 and 445 together. The following table outlines the names of each centre in the RIA accommodation portfolio and the contractors associated with each:

On the table, 'CAP' refers to capacity (bed spaces) as per contract.

The information sought by the Deputy in respect of the amount spent on each centre contracted for by the Reception and Integration Agency for each of the past five years is not separately compiled. This information could only be compiled in the short time available between the tabling of the Question and the due date for answer by the re-allocation of additional scarce staff resources from other important work, which would not be warranted.

When the information is compiled, it will be forwarded promptly to the Deputy, except where any such information may be so commercially sensitive as to prejudice the Reception and Integration Agency's ability to engage in such contractual negotiations ventures in thefuture.

Question No. 446 answered with Question No. 441.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh (Dublin South Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 447: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the fact that elected representatives have been prevented from meeting residents or the residents committee of a centre (details supplied) in County Waterford on the premises; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16598/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I understand that the Deputy is referring to a recent visit by a Sinn Féin Councillor to Birchwood House accommodation centre, Waterford.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. The accommodation centre at Birchwood, Waterford is operated by a private company under contract to the RIA. I am informed that the Councillor was contacted by the Residents' Committee at Birchwood who invited him to visit the centre.

It needs to be emphasised that, notwithstanding that such accommodation centres operate under contract to the RIA, the premises remain private property and the proprietor is obliged to have regard to all aspects of the law regarding insurance, security, child protection and health and safety. As a consequence, asylum centres do not have open access to non-residents. Accordingly, in this instance, the Residents' Committee were informed by centre management that if a formal application were made in respect of the Councillor's intended visit it would be approved. The Committee issued the invitation to the Councillor but the aforementioned application to centre management was not made in advance of the Councillor's arrival at the centre. Therefore, under standing procedures relating to unapproved visits, centre management could not allow him access to the premises.

The RIA subsequently wrote to the Councillor on 15 April 2008 outlining the situation and assuring him that if he formally contacts the centre management in advance, arrangements will be made to facilitate his visit. The RIA has always been facilitative towards requests from public representatives, support groups and others who wish to engage with the residents of asylum seeker accommodation centres.