Imelda Munster (Louth, Sinn Fein)
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124. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the reason the residents of Mosney direct provision centre are compelled to shop on site by the use of a points system; if her Department authorised this system; if this is now part of Government policy for all direct provision refugee centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23130/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Following from the McMahon Report and in accordance with the Programme for a Partnership Government, improvements in facilities are being implemented across all family centres. One of the key recommendations in the McMahon report was in relation to the capacity of families to cook for themselves and it is to this end that the system in Mosney was introduced.

Rather than a simple, generic system of providing meals though a canteen which has been the subject of ongoing criticism, the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department has worked with Mosney management to introduce a new system whereby residents are in a position to select produce and food products in a food hall and prepare meals for themselves and their families. There is of course no charge to the residents for this facility.

This system is the culmination of a lengthy analysis process and included full consultation with a representative group of residents in Mosney. This system allows individual residents to choose those items they feel are right for their family. There are 600 products available in the Mosney Food Hall and it is open to any resident to suggest new items, which will be added to the stock, provided that a food source is identified that fulfils all food traceability and safety. All basic food categories are available and RIA is satisfied sufficient choice is available, even before the addition of further products, to allow parents to make healthy choices for their families. The points in Mosney do not have a monetary equivalent and it is not possible to buy additional points with cash.

It is also important to note that the system is under constant review and is a work in progress. It is being monitored by RIA and feedback from this project along with other similar projects due to commence soon will continue to inform the operation of the entire system - in essence, issues arising from the roll-out in Mosney will inform the system elsewhere.