Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

391. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a list of all direct provision accommodation centres. [9343/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am advised by the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) of my Department that as of 24 May 2020, there are 45 dedicated accommodation centres in the State, the names and locations of which are set out in the following table.

As these centres are currently operating at full capacity, there are a further 36 emergency accommodation premises currently being used to accommodate international protection applicants. My Department does not generally disclose the location of emergency accommodation centres in order to protect the identity of international protection applicants.

IPAS Accommodation(as of 24 May 2020)

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

392. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the process by which decisions are made on the area in which a direct provision centre will be located; and the criteria that inform such a decision. [9390/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the State is obliged under domestic and international law to examine the application of anyone who arrives at the State to claim international protection. While we are examining their application, all applicants are offered accommodation and other supports such as healthcare, education for children and a weekly payment for personal expenditure.

My Department does not select a particular area or location for accommodation centres. Premises are sourced either through a full tender process which is administered through the Government’s Procurement Portalwww.etenders.gov.ieor through responses to calls for expressions of interest, which are advertised in the national media. My Department is assisted with these tender projects by the Office of Government Procurement.

The tender process which commenced in late 2018, saw regional tender competitions being advertised, assessed and awarded. The competitions were held for the South East, Midlands, Mid-West, South-West, Mid-East, West, Dublin and the Border Regions.

The specifications for each tender process are comprehensive and are developed from the findings of the 2015 McMahon Report and best practice in the sector. All successful bidders must provide independent living with cooking facilities for residents, as set out in the McMahon Report, and they have a 16-week mobilisation period to complete the works to provide this.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the provision of accommodation is demand-led, based on the number of applicants arriving to claim international protection and requiring accommodation. Where the State’s accommodation portfolio is not sufficient to meet demand and the tendering process is not identifying and bringing on stream the required accommodation as quickly as is needed, the State advertises in the national media for calls for expressions of interest for the supply of accommodation. The contracts on offer under this process are shorter than those available under the tender process.

Offers made under the Expressions of Interest process are assessed under the following criteria:

- A good physical environment,

- Facilities that provide for family life,

- Cooking facilities for residents, where possible,

- Location of property and access to public transport,

- Provision of suitable security arrangements,

- An open and understanding management structure, and

- The ability to develop links with the local community to enhance the experience for residents.

The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) in my Department assesses offers of accommodation against these criteria and identifies those properties most suitable.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

393. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the details of the way in which local communities are consulted as part of the process of establishing a direct provision centre including the timelines involved and the types of consultation activities deployed. [9391/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that the sourcing of new accommodation centres for international protection applicants is done by way of either an Expression of Interest published in the national press and EU Journal by the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) of my Department, or a public procurement process, which is advertised on E-Tenders and the Official Journal of the European Union and is managed by the Office of Government Procurement on behalf of IPPS.

All proposed premises must be inspected and assessed as to their suitability. The criteria for assessment is based on quality of premises, general conformity with the recommendations of the 2015 McMahon Report, and the availability of services such as schools, general practitioners, post office etc. Once a premises is deemed suitable by the IPPPS, negotiations will begin with the proposed service provider.

During the assessment and prior to the conclusion of the negotiations, the relevant Local Authority is consulted to see if there are any legal or compliance issues in relation to the property.

Following the conclusion of negotiations and the signing of the contract between the service provider and my Department, engagement begins with local representatives and other key stakeholders. This includes the other Government Departments and organisations that provide key services and supports to residents, like the Departments of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Education and Skills, Health, the HSE and Tusla. 

While I can fully appreciate that community engagement as early as possible in the process is preferable, the Deputy will appreciate that this type of engagement is not possible prior to the commercially sensitive negotiations being concluded and the contract being signed with my Department. Until then, there is no guarantee that the negotiations will be successful or that a centre will actually open.

With recent new centres that we have opened like Ennis, Tullamore and Rosslare Harbour, my Department has prepared and circulated information to the local community, which includes information on the capacity of the centre, its facilities, the composition of residents (single, couples, small families etc.) and contact information for the centre.  Where possible, prior to the arrival of residents, local representatives and members of the community are invited to visit so that they can see the centre's facilities for themselves. We also encourage the establishment of a Friends of the Centre group to promote integration opportunities between centre residents, the local community and voluntary groups.

The issue of how we can best engage with local communities prior to centres opening is also being examined by the Expert Group, led by Dr. Catherine Day, former Secretary General of the European Commission. This Expert Group was established by Minister Flanagan and I to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services, including accommodation to international protection applicants. It is looking at longer term trends and solutions for the system. This work is advancing at pace and I look forward to its outcomes.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

394. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to establish a direct provision centre in an area (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9392/20]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I can inform the Deputy that my Department has an accommodation centre for international protection applicants in Clonakilty in West Cork. There are currently no plans to open another centre within the Cork South-West constituency area.

Should my Department require additional accommodation in the future and if suitable premises were offered in the area, such premises would be considered in line with the recommendations made under the 2015 McMahon Report and the requirements of the National Standards for Accommodation Centres, which Minister Flanagan and I published last August.