Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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191. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will investigate an issue with regard to water quality at a direct provision reception centre (details supplied); and if she will ensure that this facility is inspected and the issue rectified as a matter of priority. [1570/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) is an operational section of my Department and is responsible for contracts for the provision of accommodation and related services to those seeking international protection. First of all I want to state categorically that the claim that the photographs supplied are of the water used for cooking and washing at the centre is not true. The accommodation centre in question obtains its water supply from the mains operated by Irish Water, who have confirmed that there are no current issues in respect of the water quality in the area.

RIA has investigated this matter, and I can inform you that the photographs show images of the effluent plant at the centre, which is operated under licence from Fingal County Council. It is monitored on a daily basis by the centre management and checked by Fingal County Council on a monthly basis. The images appear to have been taken in June 2016, when works were carried out on the plant.