Written answers

Tuesday, 16 June 2020

Department of Justice and Equality

Direct Provision System

Photo of Johnny MythenJohnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

352. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the breakdown of the 7,700 persons in direct provision by nationality, gender, age and length of calendar year each resident has spent in direct provision in tabular form; and the number of children born in direct provision since its inception. [11065/20]

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

As of 7 June 2020, a total of 7,387 persons are recorded as being resident in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. This includes people who are resident in Direct Provision centres, in emergency accommodation in hotels and guesthouses and in the Balseskin Reception Centre.

It should be borne in mind that a number of residents voluntarily opted to move out of their accommodation on a temporary basis during the onset of COVID-19. It was agreed that residents could choose at this time to live outside the centre with family or friends and my Department has confirmed that they will be able to return to their centre after following Public Health advice, when the crisis ends.

The table below shows the number of persons residing in accommodation as of 7 June 2020, by nationality. At that date, there were people from a total of 103 different nationalities residing in our accommodation.  The figures include both international protection applicants and 916 people who are no longer in the process, having already been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection) or a permission to remain in the State. We are assisting these residents to transition to permanent mainstream accommodation, working closely with the City and County Managers Association, the Local Authorities and organisations like Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust and the Jesuit Refugee Service. People with status or permission to remain in the State have the same entitlement to housing supports and State services as everyone else.

No breakdown is provided for nationalities with less than 10 people due to the increased risk of their identification, which is prohibited under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015.

Nationality   Total
Afghanistan 181
Albania 576
Algeria 199
Angola 31
Bahrain 11
Bangladesh 194
Benin 11
Bolivia 35
Botswana 41
Brazil 21
Burundi 13
Cameroon 80
China (including Hong Kong) 13
Congo, The Democratic Republic of 320
Cote D’Ivoire 13
Egypt 28
El Salvador 23
Eritrea 16
Ethiopia 28
Georgia 664
Ghana 92
Guatemala 19
India 71
Iran (Islam Republic of) 39
Iraq 84
Israel 10
Jordan 14
Kenya 36
Kosovo/UNSCR 1244 35
Kuwait 16
Lesotho 11
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya 21
Malawi 230
Malaysia 16
Mauritius 39
Morocco 50
Nepal 14
Nigeria 1016
Pakistan 532
Palestinian Territory, Occupied 57
Russian Federation 34
Sierra Leone 68
Somalia 205
South Africa 632
Sri Lanka 16
Sudan 52
Swaziland 30
Syrian Arab Republic 89
Tanzania, United Republic of 11
Togo 27
Uganda 43
Ukraine 27
Venezuela 14
Yemen 10
Zambia 16
Zimbabwe 1,064
Others (49 countries) 149
Total 7,387

Gender Breakdown of residents

Male 56.53% 4,176
Female 43.47% 3,211
Total 100.00% 7,387

Age Breakdown

Age (Years) Percentage of DP Residents Number of DP Residents
0 to 10 20.29% 1,499
10 to 20 11.16% 824
20 to 30 21.88% 1,616
30 to 40 28.39% 2,098
40 to 50 13.50% 997
50 to 60 3.57% 264
60+ 1.21% 89
Total 100.00% 7,387

Duration of Stay

Years Percentage of  Residents Number  of Residents
0 < 1 34.57% 2,554
1 < 2 24.81% 1,833
2 < 3 16.21% 1,198
3 < 4 8.44% 623
4 < 5 8.18% 604
5 < 6 3.84% 284
6 < 7 1.27% 94
7+ 2.68% 197
Total 100.00% 7,387

Regarding your query on children born in centres, my Department does not have any official role in the collation of statistics on the births of children whose parents are residents of our accommodation centres.  The recording of births is the responsibility of the General Registration Office (GRO).

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

356. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deaths associated with Covid-19 in direct provision and emergency accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11115/20]

Photo of Louise O'ReillyLouise O'Reilly (Dublin Fingal, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

366. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the number of deaths associated with Covid-19 in direct provision and emergency accommodation centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11171/20]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 356 and 366 together.

The COVID-19 pandemic is first and foremost a public health issue. It is a matter for the health authorities to comment on the numbers of deaths related to the virus and the settings in which such deaths have occurred.  On 26 May 2020, at a session of the Oireachtas Special Committee on Covid-19 Response, HSE officials confirmed that there were no admissions to intensive care nor any deaths of either residents or staff at any of our accommodation centres.  I can also confirm that my Department has not been notified of any COVID-19-related death of a resident by the HSE since that date.

The Deputy may wish to be aware of the general policy that applies when a person dies while they are being provided with accommodation by my Department’s International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).  Department officials work closely with the centre manager to assist the person’s next of kin, if known, in accessing the supports provided by the State, and to ensure that any residents affected by the death are assisted in accessing services that can support them.

All deaths and serious incidents that occur within accommodation centres provided by my Department are referred to the Gardaí as a matter of course and the Gardaí in turn refer all deaths to the local Coroner’s office.  It is primarily a matter for An Garda Síochána to notify the next of kin of the death of a person if required. As is the case with all Gardaí/Coroner matters, IPAS is not privy to information pertaining to individual investigations carried out under their remit.  IPAS provides information to An Garda Síochána and the Coroner’s Office as and when requested.

The IPAS has developed a critical incident policy. The policy includes guidelines for IPAS Staff and accommodation centre managers and staff in the event of the death of a resident. The policy includes a protocol for record keeping whereby IPAS will maintain a record of all critical incidents. The policy was issued on 23 November 2019.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.