Written answers

Tuesday, 24 September 2013

Department of Justice and Equality

Asylum Support Services

Photo of Eoghan MurphyEoghan Murphy (Dublin South East, Fine Gael)
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438. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding the treatment of asylum seekers here in view of allegations made against Serco employees at the Yarl’s Wood Immigration Removal Centre in the UK; if any similar incidents have occurred here; the reporting guidelines and/or safeguards that are in place to protect asylum seekers and ensure that private contractors operate in an appropriate manner. [39734/13]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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There are currently 4,414 persons seeking international protection residing in 34 Direct Provision accommodation centres across 17 counties under contract to the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), an operational unit of the Irish Naturalisation & Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department.

I should firstly say that the only knowledge I have of the matters referred to in the question is from UK newspaper articles. Plainly, I could not comment in any way on issues arising in another jurisdiction other than to note that Ireland does not have an Immigration Removal Centre and that residents in RIA centres are free to come and go as they please. In relation to any allegations of sexual assault in asylum accommodation centres in this jurisdiction I would refer the Deputy to the answer I gave to Dáil Question no. 923 on 16 July, 2013 on the same subject.

Any action of a criminal nature brought to the attention of RIA would immediately be referred to the Gardaí. RIA takes the protection of its residents very seriously and already has in place a number of policies and procedures to ensure that they do not suffer acts of sexual harassment or assault or misbehaviour of any kind.

Firstly, RIA's House Rules and Procedures set out the type and standard of service that an asylum seeker should expect whilst residing in direct provision accommodation. The Rules set out the entitlements and obligations placed on centre management and on residents and, in the event that these aren't being met, a complaints procedure to be invoked by either party. This complaints system is considered by RIA to be broadly in line with the guidelines set out by the Office of the Ombudsman for ‘internal complaints systems’. Sexual harassment, by any party, is specified as being unacceptable behaviour in respect of which the complaints procedure can be invoked.

Secondly, over and above the House Rules themselves, the interests of asylum seekers are protected through regular 'clinics' in centres where residents can speak directly to RIA headquarters staff without local centre management being present. Allegations of improper behaviour by any party could be reported in that context and acted upon immediately.

Thirdly, RIA has a Code of Practice for persons working in accommodation centres which specifically prohibits sexual harassment.

Fourthly, RIA has a fully staffed Child Protection and Welfare section and has a Child Protection Policy based on the HSE’s Children First -National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. These guidelines were developed in order to assist people identifying and reporting child abuse and welfare concerns. Staff of centres are trained to recognise abuse and how it should be reported and each RIA accommodation centre has a designated Child Protection officer. A draft revised Child Protection Policy designed to be even more transparent and accessible is currently with the Department of Children and Youth Affairs for observations.

Finally, along with Cosc (the National Organisation for the prevention of domestic, sexual and gender based violence) RIA has been engaged in a working group with a number of non - governmental organisations including Akidwa and the Rape Crisis Centre to develop a RIA policy around incidences of domestic, sexual and gender based violence and harassment within its centres. The UNHCR has also been involved and has made suggestions from its perspective.

The working group is now an advanced stage of deliberation and it is expected that a policy will finally be agreed in the course of the next few weeks. A training programme for staff and residents will follow from agreement on this policy. In advance of this, the working group has approved an information poster which has already been distributed to all RIA centres. These posters - available in five languages including English - provide information on accessing professional help if residents have suffered or are suffering from domestic, sexual or gender based violence or harassment.

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