Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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11. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the changes which have been made or are planned to address the rights and needs of children who live in direct provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [7018/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Programme for Partnership Government states that "Long durations in direct provision are acknowledged to have a negative impact on family life. We are therefore committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children."I can therefore assure the House and the Deputy that the rights and needs of children are at the forefront of our thinking as this commitment is being delivered.

The following are some of the highlights of the services and facilities available being made available to children and families across the accommodation portfolio:-

- Tusla and the HSE, link in with accommodation centres to provide on-site services and monitoring of children and families through Public Health Nurse and GP services, social work teams, mental health specialists and through the positive engagement of accommodation centre management teams.

- The Community Welfare Service of the Department of Social Protection holds clinics in many of our centres to assist families with needs which may fall to be assisted under the Exceptional Needs Payments.

- The weekly allowance for children was increased by €6 to €15.10 per child in 2016 by the Department of Social Protection.

- Children are linked in by local management to mainstream primary and post-primary schools in a like manner to the general population. Younger children may also avail of the free ECCE pre-school placements.

- Homework clubs are also provided at certain family centres. The Department of Education has also made changes to allow children who are 5 years in the Direct Provision system and who have attended a minimum of five years in the Irish school system to avail of third level education.

- RIA has a dedicated Child and Family Services Unit, whose role is to manage, deliver, coordinate, monitor and plan all matters relating to child and family services for all asylum seekers residing in the direct provision system. It also acts as a conduit between RIA and Tusla, the latter having statutory functions in this area. The Unit is headed up by an official seconded from Tusla who has clinical expertise in the area of child welfare and protection.

- The Child Protection and Welfare Policy and Practice Document in force in all accommodation centres is based on the HSE's “Children First - National Guidelines for the protection and welfare of children. The HSE & Tusla have provided 'Keeping Safe' child protection training and Designate Liaison Person Training [DLP] to each centre's Designated Liaison Persons and other staff members. RIA has recently updated its Child Protection Policy to include a Practice Document. Briefing sessions were held in family centres around the country for centre staff members and all other relevant personnel. All staff of centres under contract to RIA are Garda vetted.

Projects are underway in my Department to ensure that all facilities for families in accommodation centres under contract to the Department are improved and enhanced to the highest possible standard.

A number of recommendations in the the McMahon report in relation to physical improvements to accommodation are being rolled out. The following are just a few examples of the improvements either finished or in progress:-

- The installation of residents’ kitchens in a number of accommodation centres to provide for home cooking by residents and their families;

- The introduction of full independent living at the Mosney Accommodation centre - each family are able to select their own choice of fresh food so they may prepare meals for themselves;

- A complete refurbishment of each accommodation unit (triple glazed windows and doors, refurbished interiors) at the Athlone Accommodation Centre;

- Improvements to a number of outdoor playgrounds and football pitches to provide for ‘all-weather’ facilities.

- Teenage rooms in relevant centres to provide social areas for this age group.

Many of the recommendations of the McMahon report that involve structural changes/improvements are being implemented with necessary due consideration to fire safety, building regulation and planning issues. The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA), in consultation with its contractors, are examining the feasibility of phasing in the re-designation of accommodation so that where possible each family has an independent living space. The House will appreciate that such structural changes cannot be put in place overnight and will take time but I am committed to implementing the improvements.

Given the scope of the structural changes that have to be implemented, I am satisfied with the progress of such major improvements since the publication of the Agreed Programme for Partnership Government.