Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

601. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of persons in direct provision centres in counties Cavan and Monaghan and north County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38155/20]

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

602. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the number of direct provision centres and premises in counties Cavan and Monaghan and north County Meath; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38156/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 601 and 602 together.

There is one dedicated accommodation centre for international protection applicants located in Co. Monaghan and another in Co. Meath. There is no such centre in Co. Cavan.

As of 15 November, 228 people are accommodated at the St Patrick's Accommodation centre in Co. Monaghan and 604 people at the Mosney Accommodation Centre in Co Meath.

In addition there are 8 premises, hotels and guest houses being utilised to provide accommodation to protection applicants on short-term contracts. Of these, there is 1 in Co. Cavan, 3 in Co. Meath and 4 in Co. Monaghan.

As of 15 November, 28 people are accommodated in temporary accomodation premises in Co. Cavan, 61 people in Co. Meath and 183 people in Co. Monaghan.

The Deputy will be aware that the Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy centred on a not-for-profit approach. We have also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the steps to achieving it.

My Department is currently developing the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of the year.Consultations are currently underway and include discussions with the relevant Government Departments and agencies, the Offices of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, relevant NGOs and housing bodies and representatives of residents of Direct Provision centres.

In order to meet our legal obligations to provide accommodation and other support services for protection applicants, existing accommodation centres will continue to operate in the short to medium term. ? However, in doing so we will be focusing on the provision of own-door accommodation and facilities to allow for independent living (access to cooking and laundry facilities and communal family areas outside bedrooms) and greatly reducing any need for the use of hotels and guest-houses as an emergency measure.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

603. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs if correspondence from a person (details supplied) will be reviewed; if his attention has been drawn to the introduction of such a facility in the town; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38160/20]

Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

624. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs his plans to use a building (details supplied) as a direct provision centre; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38262/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 603 and 624 together.

My Department has no plans to open an International Protection Accommodation Centre at Riverdale Hotel Ballybay, or to utilise any other property not already in use in County Monaghan at this time.

Premises are sourced either through a full tender process which is administered through the Government’s Procurement Portal www.etenders.gov.ie or 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.

Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

604. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the protocols, procedures and application process involved in the provision of a centre (details supplied); the process for landlords wishing to rent property for same; the protocols they are subjected to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38162/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Premises are sourced either through a full tender process which is administered through the Government’s Procurement Portal www.etenders.gov.ie or 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.

All properties selected under the tender process must be able to meet the requirements of the National Standards for accommodation centres. Any tender for the provision of accommodation centre services must demonstrate that it will meet the requirements of the Standards. This requirement applies to the provision of new centres and to any renewal of a contract with a current provider.

The Standards were published in August 2019 and developed through an Advisory Group including representatives from UNHCR Ireland and the NGO sector. The Standards will come into force in January 2021 and address a range of themes including accommodation; food and catering; individual, community and family life; health and well-being; governance; and meeting the special reception needs of applicants. The Standards will ensure that all new accommodation coming on stream must be able to meet the requirements for independent living by the provision of self-catering facilities for residents including a food hall and the availability of separate family spaces outside of bedrooms.

The forthcoming White Paper of the future direction of the Direct Provision System will inform the type of accommodation that the Department will contract in the future