Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is no legislative requirement setting out any consultation process that may be used by RIA prior to the establishment of accommodation centres for those in need of international protection.

On 31 July 2015 RIA published a call for expressions of interest from persons or companies wishing to provide accommodation and related services.

RIA have analysed the responses and have visited many of the centres on offer to assess their suitability for their needs and the needs of potential residents. For operational and commercially confidential reasons details of these visits and the discussions with the owners (who are potential contractors) are not disclosed to any other Department, agency or local community representatives.

Any potential centre is assessed from a number of perspectives including access to local amenities and the provision of services.

This model and approach has been operated by RIA since its establishment and has proven to be extremely successful in the establishment of accommodation centres to date. No person seeking accommodation has ever been left without the provision of that service. Communities across the country have welcomed the establishment of these centres and have been engaged in the provision of local integration services to residents in those centres. I am confident that people in Ireland will continue to welcome into their communities those who are the most vulnerable and most in need of protection.

I am advised that it is the intention of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme to adopt broadly the same approach when establishing Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs).