Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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644. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of progress on establishing an independent inspectorate for direct provision centres; if the Health Act 2007 will be amended to extend the remit of HIQA to undertake independent inspections of direct provision centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50501/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Government intends that the accommodation centres operated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS), which is part of my Department, will be independently monitored by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) for compliance with the National Standards for accommodation offered to people in the protection process.  These standards were adopted by Government in 2019.

My Department is currently engaging with HIQA and the Department of Health to undertake the preparatory work with regard to HIQA's monitoring role.  In parallel with this process, work is being undertaken to determine the legislative underpinning for HIQA's monitoring role, and as such no decision has yet been reached on whether the Health Act 2007 will need to be amended.

Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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645. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if there are plans for the installation of open WiFi access across a centre (details supplied) taking in the homes of those currently going through the asylum process in order that residents, particularly young persons, can more fully utilise the internet in accessing vital supports, services and educational materials; and if not, the reason for not installing this service. [50544/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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All accommodation centres are required to provide free WiFi facilities for residents.

In March 2020, the centre concerned put in place a programme to assist residents with all educational requirements, school liaison support, printing, photocopying, equipment distribution e.g., laptops/Tablets and access to Wi-Fi in specified areas.

The accommodation centre to which the Deputy refers, currently has full free WiFi access in three separate locations, the leisure room, conservatory room and the internet café. Centre management are engaged in a significant infrastructural project to further extend WiFi capabilities across the site. This project was initiated in early 2021 and is expected to be fully completed early in 2022.

I trust this information is of help to the Deputy .