Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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260. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the accounts of companies managing direct provision centres are scrutinised, including those which are unlimited companies with accounts not open to public scrutiny; if this is done prior to the awarding of contracts; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47987/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that, while there are obligations under all our contracts that the contractor must comply with all statutory charges and levies in relation to the Centre and have a current valid Tax Clearance Certificate, the accounts of those contractors are not requested or scrutinised.

In addition, the contractor is contractually obliged to comply with all relevant legislation and legally binding industrial and sectoral agreements including but not limited to Employment Permit Acts 2003 & 2006, Industrial Relations Acts 1964 to 2004, Minimum Wage Act 2000 and Safety, Health and Welfare at Work Act 2004 etc.

I should also point out that contract may be terminated without liability if the contractor is declared bankrupt or goes or is put into liquidation.

In order to meet the accommodation needs in the longer term, the Department has recently commenced a public procurement exercise under which public tenders for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services by way of the independent living model, to persons in the protection process, will be advertised. This process is scheduled to continue throughout 2019 and for completion in 2020.  This will be delivered via a series of regional competitions to cover the entire State. 

As part of the tender assessment, all bidders must complete as part of their bid a document referred to as a European Single Procurement Document. This document seeks details from the bidder on their company including declarations that the bidder is solvent, tax compliant, does not have any conflicts of interest and has not been found guilty of professional misconduct. The document is designed by the Office of Government Procurement and is part of their standard Request for Tender Documentation.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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261. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the status of the consultation process announced in August 2018 on draft national standards of accommodation for persons in direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48038/18]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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The consultation process for standards for accommodation offered to those seeking the protection of the State was completed at the end of October 2018.  The consultations included residents' meetings, submissions from a number of national bodies and individuals as well as consultation with those seeking to deliver accommodation and those expert in a variety of fields including groups working with refugees.

The standards document is being finalised, in light of the consultation process, and will shortly be submitted to me for consideration.