Michael Creed (Cork North West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

144. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if Ireland is deemed to be in compliance with the European Communities reception conditions Regulations 2018 Statutory Instrument Number 230/2018. [13674/21]

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

On 6 July 2018, the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 230 of 2018) transposed the recast EU Reception Conditions Directive into domestic law. It laid down standards for the reception of applicants for international protection and has brought us into line with the norms and standards for reception conditions for international protection applicants across the EU. i consider that Ireland is in compliance with these Regulations.

The Regulations include responsibilities for a number of Government Departments and agencies including my own Department.

When the transfer of functions took place between my Department and the Department of Justice on 14 October 2020, the Regulations pertaining to the provision of material reception conditions, which include housing, food, clothing and a daily expenses allowance, came under my remit.

The National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process were published on 15 August 2019 and are fully compliant with the Directive. The Standards address a range of themes including accommodation; food and catering; individual, community and family life; health and wellbeing; governance; and meeting the special reception needs of applicants. The National Standards provide a framework for the continual development of person-centred, high-quality, safe and effective services and supports for residents living in accommodation centres. The purpose of the National Standards is to improve quality of care and ensure consistency across accommodation centres. The National Standards also provide residents with a guide as to what they should expect during their period of residence in an accommodation centre. The Standards are applicable as of 1 January 2021.

A new Vulnerability Assessment process is currently being piloted by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) of my Department. The pilot commenced in December 2020 and was extended to all new applicants for international protection from the beginning of February.

The purpose of these assessments is to determine if, by virtue of a particular category of vulnerability, an applicant is deemed to have special reception needs, what those needs are and what actions are required to address those needs.

Assessment questions are based on the various categories of vulnerability identified within the EU Reception Conditions Directive 2013/33/EU, and have been refined within the Irish context with the help of the HSE.

As the Deputy will be aware, I have now published the White Paper White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a new International Protection Support Service. The White Paper sets out a new Government policy to establish a new International Protection Support Service which I envision will be fully operational by December 2024.