Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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285. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the international protection process that are housed in emergency accommodation; the number that are children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39799/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for offering accommodation and related services to international protection applicants while their claim for protection is being examined. Due to an unexpected rise in applications (+36% in the first six months of the year), the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS, formerly the Reception and Integration Agency), of my Department is experiencing significant upward pressure on its accommodation portfolio.  

As of 22 September 2019, there are 1,379 applicants residing in 34 emergency accommodation locations in hotels and guest houses. 278 of these applicants are children. As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department does not disclose the specific location of any emergency accommodation centres in order to protect the identity of international protection applicants.

Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants in emergency locations to a dedicated accommodation centre as quickly as possible where we can provide the full range of State services and supports. 

IPAS is actively working on securing additional capacity, both in its existing centres and through sourcing new centres via a series of regional procurement competitions and advertised expressions of interest for accommodation provision. .

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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286. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of emergency accommodation centres in use to house persons in the international protection process; the location of these centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39800/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is responsible for offering accommodation and related services to international protection applicants while their claim for protection is being examined. As of 22 September 2019, 7,393 persons were being provided with accommodation by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS, formerly the Reception and Integration Agency) of my Department. 

Currently, there are 6,014 persons residing in the 38 accommodation centres located nationwide across 18 counties. As these centres are at full capacity, there are also a further 1,379 applicants residing in 34 emergency accommodation locations in hotels and guest houses.  As the Deputy will appreciate, my Department does not disclose the specific location of any emergency accommodation centres in order to protect the identity of the international protection applicants.

Every effort is being made to re-accommodate applicants in emergency locations to a dedicated accommodation centre as quickly as possible where we can provide the full range of State services and supports. 

IPAS is actively working on securing additional capacity, both in its existing centres and through sourcing new accommodation centres via a series of regional procurement competitions and the advertisement of expressions of interest for the provision of accommodation. 

Thomas Pringle (Donegal, Independent)
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287. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of vulnerability assessments that have been carried out to date on persons in the international protection process in line with obligations under the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018; his views on reports that as of July 2019 no such formal assessments had been carried out; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39801/19]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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In June 2018, Ireland opted into the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive. This Directive lays down the standards for the reception of international protection applicants. Article 21 of the Directive requires Member States, in implementing the Directive, to take into account the specific situation of vulnerable persons, and Article 22 provides for the assessment of the special reception needs of vulnerable persons.

Ireland transposed the Directive by way of the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018. While there is no formal procedure in place for vulnerability assessments, Regulation 8 refers to vulnerable persons and provides for an assessment in relation to an applicant's special reception needs within 30 days of presentation or application. 

Every applicant has an initial interview conducted when they first attend the International Protection Office in Dublin. If the applicant indicates that they require accommodation , he or she will then be assessed for any specific reception needs. The result of the assessment is taken into account when assigning accommodation to the individual. 

Applicants are also invited for an initial health assessment on a voluntary basis. A Health Screening Team, which is funded and managed by the HSE, is located onsite at the Balseskin Reception Centre for this purpose. The team comprises of GPs, a Medical Officer, a Clinical Nurse Specialist and two nurses, a primary care social worker, two primary care psychologists and clerical/administration support. The team offers a range of individual services and screening for medical and psychosocial needs and makes onward referrals for any further treatment required. These health professionals communicate with my officials in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS - formerly RIA), within the bounds of patient confidentiality, if a particular need is identified that will impact the person's accommodation requirements. In the coming weeks, a new primary care facility will be opening in Balseskin, which will enable the health care team to provide their services in a facility that is to the standard of all new HSE primary care facilities.

In addition, arrangements are in place with Safetynet, who carry out health screening in various parts of the country on behalf of the HSE, to offer the screening service to those who do not, for whatever reason, avail of it in Dublin. Staff from Safetynet liaise with the IPAS if the person is deemed vulnerable on medical or related grounds. This can include a request that special arrangements should be taken regarding the assignment of the person's accommodation, for example if they need to be located near a particular hospital.

My Department is continually reviewing how to improve services to applicants and my officials are currently examining the options available for putting in place a formal procedure for the identification and assessment of those applicants deemed to be vulnerable in accordance with Article 21 of the Reception Conditions Directive.

To assist in determining how best we can meet the health and related needs of applicants, the HSE National Office for Social Inclusion has recently commissioned research to explore the concept of vulnerability with a view to further improving our existing processes. I look forward to the outcome of this research.

It is also important to emphasise that all Departments and their agencies involved in the delivery of services and supports to applicants have a role to play in identifying and addressing the needs of applicants who present as vulnerable. This is particularly the case where vulnerabilities may only be disclosed or become evident after the initial stage of the protection process.  

For the purposes of the Directive and Regulation 8 of the 2018 Regulations, vulnerable persons include minors, unaccompanied minors, disabled people, elderly people, pregnant women, single parents, victims of human trafficking, persons with serious illnesses, persons with mental disorders and persons who have been subjected to torture, rape or other serious forms of psychological, physical or sexual violence, such as victims of female genital mutilation.