Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 140: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on establishing separate women-only accommodation for single women seeking asylum, in view of the fact that they constitute 17% of asylum seekers and many are fleeing sexual violence. [14093/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Gender segregation is just one of several factors considered by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department when formulating policy in the matter of housing asylum seekers. While certain gender-specific accommodation centres are used, the RIA must balance the available accommodation with the population seeking that accommodation. The RIA constantly monitors its accommodation portfolio in order to ensure a safe environment for all, while at the same time working to maintain an efficient and effective use of bed spaces, having regard to the population and profile of those seeking accommodation and the available of suitable accommodation within the portfolio generally. The RIA's accommodation centres are operated in accordance with standards set out in service contracts. The standards which apply include those related to health and safety, including security for residents and staff. The RIA is satisfied that the accommodation centres where there is multiple profile accommodation have sufficient controls in place to address any perception of a threat to women or other residents. State supports are provided on site at centres and coordinated through the RIA, the HSE, the Department of Education and others. National and local NGO's also provide supports at centres.

Resources such as Public Health Nurses, Community Welfare Officers, General Practitioners and school principals also engage with residents and with the RIA on concerns for residents. The RIA operates information clinics whereby residents can discuss any issues which they may have, directly with RIA staff on a one-to-one basis. Should any issue arise at any accommodation centre, there is ample opportunity for such issues to be brought to the attention of RIA and other appropriate authorities.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 141: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to complaints by residents of some direct provision centres that staff have used the threat of transfer or deportation to intimidate them from complaining about conditions in the centre; the steps he will take to address this issue; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14094/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

I am not aware of any specific complaints of the nature outlined in the question. If the Deputy is aware of any such complaints, they should be addressed to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department which has responsibility in the matter.

The RIA's accommodation centres are operated in accordance with standards set out in service contracts. The standards which apply include those related to health and safety, including security for residents and staff. State supports are provided and coordinated through the RIA, the HSE, the Department of Education and others. National and local NGO's also provide supports. The RIA operates a Child Protection Policy and has a dedicated unit for Child and Family Supports and also a separate Health Unit dealing with medical needs.

All asylum seekers who avail of RIA accommodation are provided with a copy of the current House Rules and Procedures document (House Rules) on arrival at their accommodation which includes details of the complaints procedure which residents can avail of. The complaints procedure itself has an informal mechanism for local resolution of complaints and disputes and a formal mechanism which can apply where a local resolution cannot be achieved and where the matter is referred to the RIA for consideration. Residents at any of RIA's accommodation centres can raise concerns with centre staff or directly with RIA in accordance with the procedures set out in the House Rules. Resources such as Public Health Nurses, Community Welfare Officers, General Practitioners and school principals also engage with residents and with the RIA on residents' issues. The RIA operates information clinics on-site at all accommodation centres where residents can discuss any issues which they may have directly with RIA staff on a one-to-one basis. The RIA takes any complaints about its centres seriously, including any complaints about centre staff, once these complaints are brought to its attention with sufficient detail to allow an investigation.

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 142: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the accommodation options available to women asylum seekers experiencing domestic violence in view of the fact that women's shelters often have insufficient resources to take them in and they are not allowed to live outside reception and integration agency centres while their applications are pending. [14095/10]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

At the outset, I have to correct the assertion in the question that applicants for asylum are not allowed to live outside Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) accommodation while their applications are being considered. This is manifestly not so, as many applicants choose to live independently outside RIA accommodation centres.

For those who require accommodation and associated supports from the State while their applications are pending, RIA accommodation centres provide a secure environment where violence of any sort, domestic or otherwise, towards any person, regardless of gender, is not tolerated under any circumstance.

Where incidents of domestic violence are brought to the attention of the RIA, steps are immediately taken to address the matter. For example, where separate living arrangements become a requirement for a family due to domestic violence, the RIA facilitates these arrangements. Also, where children may have been exposed to the sight of domestic violence, such incidents are reported to the HSE social work team for follow up in accordance with the RIA's Child Protection Policy. The system of direct provision allows for a level of supervision of families which would not be found in alternative living arrangements. The availability and visibility of staff, Public Health Nurses, Community Welfare Officers, General Practitioners, Community and Ethnic Liaison Gardaí and others linked in with an accommodation centre serves to help monitor domestic relationships and proves a support for families within the direct provision system.