Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women in direct provision who have reported incidents of domestic violence on a yearly basis between 2005 and 2012. [15722/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, is responsible for the accommodation of persons under the Government system of Direct Provision. While accommodation services are provided by RIA, other State supports are provided by the appropriate Government Department or agency, i.e., health services are provided through the HSE, social welfare supports through the Department of Social Protection and Education through the Department of Education & Skills, etc.

Residents in direct provision accommodation may, from time to time, present to centre management reporting incidents of domestic violence. Such reports would, as a matter of course be referred to RIA and onwards to the HSE social work team or An Garda Síochána if appropriate. Under the RIA's Child Protection policy, a referral to HSE social work would also be made where children are involved. While such information would be held on a resident's file within RIA, statistics on this basis are not compiled.

RIA is currently working with Cosc (the National Organisation for the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender based violence) and a number of non - governmental organisations including Akidwa and the Rape Crisis Centre, to develop a policy around incidences of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and harassment within its centres. In advance of the completion of that policy, RIA has created an information poster which will shortly be distributed to its centres. These posters will provide information on accessing professional help if they have suffered or are suffering from domestic, sexual or gender based violence or harassment. This poster will be available in five languages including English.

Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein)
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To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of women in direct provision who have reported incidents of malnutrition on a yearly basis between 2005 and 2012. [15723/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), a functional unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department, is responsible for the accommodation of persons under the Government system of Direct Provision. While accommodation services are provided by RIA, other State supports are provided by the appropriate Government Department or agency, i.e., health services are provided through the HSE, social welfare supports through the Department of Social Protection and Education through the Department of Education & Skills, etc.

Residents living in direct provision may complain about issues they have with eating the food available on a personal basis. Such complaints can be made to centre management or to RIA. Where a resident has issues with their diet, they can provide a diet sheet from their doctor to centre management and those needs are addressed. Where necessary, diet sheets and supporting medical documents may be forwarded by RIA to an independent medical referee for review and advice on how best to address specific needs. While such information may be held at the accommodation centre or on the person's file in RIA, statistics in relation to certified dietary requirements are not compiled.

In relation to the dietary element of direct provision, all accommodation centres are contractually obliged to ensure that menus reflect different ethnic tastes or requirements and are cycled on at least a seven day basis to ensure variety. In the case of State owned properties, and the larger accommodation centres, 56 day menu cycles are in place. In other centres, a 28 day menu cycle is in place. A growing number of centres – at least 15 to date – have obtained a ‘Q’ Quality Mark (or equivalent), which involves considerable examination of quality and procedures. It should be noted that it is not a contractual requirement to obtain such awards. Mechanisms for making and addressing complaints about centre operations, including food complaints, are outlined in considerable detail in RIA House Rules and Procedures, which are widely available in centres and on the websites of the Department of Justice and Equality and the Reception & Integration Agency. The House Rules were extensively launched by RIA with opportunities made available to all residents to attend explanatory presentations on the document.

RIA conducts inspections and other formal and unannounced visits to all centres throughout the year which focus, inter alia, on food, food hygiene, HACCP standards and other quality checks. The HSE's Environmental Health Officers have full access to accommodation centres and visit those centre regularly. Any issues arising are raised with the contractor for urgent action and follow-up visits are undertaken as appropriate.

In relation to child nutrition, RIA, in partnership with the HSE, introduced Healthy Infant Feeding Guidelines for families in accommodation centres in 2005. These Guidelines seek to promote, among asylum seekers in RIA accommodation, healthy feeding practices for small children.