Written answers

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Department of Justice and Equality

Direct Provision System

Photo of Róisín ShortallRóisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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133. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his Department's policy on vulnerability assessments of persons entering direct provision; the details of this assessment; if these assessments are now or planned to be standard practice; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41207/17]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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All services for protection applicants (either those in State provided accommodation or those who live in the community) are delivered under the Government policies of direct provision and dispersal.

This system of direct provision is the system whereby State services are delivered directly to protection applicants through the relevant Government Department or Agency – for example the Department of Education & Skills delivers education services through the established school system; the HSE delivers medical services through the established GP and hospital systems.

In the case of the Department of Justice and Equality, full board accommodation and related services are offered to residents while their application for protection is being processed . Not every person who seeks international protection in Ireland chooses to accept the offer of full board accommodation and of course many choose to live with colleagues, family or friends in communities across the country, as they are entitled to do.

Those who accept the offer of accommodation are in turn offered a health screening check on arrival at the initial Reception Centre in Balseskin.  These services are provided by the HSE and assessments as to individual vulnerabilities are made at this stage by the HSE team.  This service is, by definition, made available by the HSE on a voluntary and strictly confidential basis.  Screening covers Hepatitis, TB, HIV, immunisation status and any other ailments or conditions that the medical officers feel require further investigation and/or treatment.  In addition, arrangements are in place in various parts of the country to offer this service to those who do not avail of it in Dublin.   Figures supplied by the HSE show that approximately 84% of asylum seekers availed of health screening in 2015 while residing in the reception centre in Dublin.  No figures are available in relation to those who subsequently availed of screening after being dispersed from the Reception Centre.

While the Health Unit in RIA assists in the coordination of the provision of health services and communications with various stakeholders, RIA has no role in the provision of health services as this remains the sole responsibility of the HSE.

Following on from this initial health screening, access to health services in Ireland thereafter for asylum seekers residing in State provided accommodation is 'mainstreamed' i.e. it is provided on the same basis as the general population. Asylum seekers in State provided accommodation will also generally qualify for a medical card and an exemption from prescription charges. They are then eligible to avail of a wide range of health services free of charge including GP services. They also have access to the Public Health Nursing System, social work services and Community Welfare services. A dedicated asylum seeker psychological service operates in Balseskin Health Centre and the North Strand Health Centre. North Strand Road, Dublin 1.

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 centres to assist families with needs which may fall to be assisted under the Exceptional Needs Payments.

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 provided at certain family centres. The Department of Education has also made changes to allow children who are 5 years in the 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 State provided accommodation.  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 and 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.

In summary, those in the protection process have access to the same set of assessments as other persons resident in communities across the country and have the same rights to appeal decisions or make complaints through the relevant Departmental channels and through the relevant Ombudsmen where appropriate and necessary. Any vulnerabilities that are identified at any assessment are identified and addressed by the relevant Government Department or Agency.

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