Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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1194. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the steps that he is taking to ensure that all persons within the direct provision system are treated with dignity and respect; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30150/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Firstly, I can assure you Deputy that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.

Accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections by both Department officials in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and QTS Limited. Inspection reports are published on www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/.

As you may know, a vulnerability assessment pilot programme is overseen by a dedicated Resident Welfare Team within the IPAS of my Department. IPAS makes a written offer of a vulnerability assessment to all persons who make an application for international protection to the International Protection Office (IPO). Applicants in IPAS accommodation centres are assisted in filling out and returning letters by support services working on site, such as the Peter Mc Verry Trust and DePaul.

Assessments begin with an initial interview with a Vulnerability Assessment Officer from the Resident Welfare Team. 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.

IPAS endeavour to accommodate the needs of applicants who have been deemed vulnerable within the meaning of the reception recast conditions in so far as possible, and to take all appropriate actions required to address those needs. It is the policy of IPAS to consider any identified vulnerabilities in allocating accommodation to applicants, within the overall constraints of the accommodation available. This means that it is not always possible for IPAS to address all identified vulnerabilities optimally when allocating accommodation, however where possible, IPAS will improve the alignment between accommodation and vulnerabilities as more appropriate accommodation becomes available.

As vulnerabilities can manifest themselves at any stage of the international protection process, all applicants are advised that they can contact IPAS to discuss their needs at any stage, even if a vulnerability assessment has previously been conducted. Although the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation portfolio is currently operating at full capacity, IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents.

Furthermore, if a resident wishes to make a complaint that person should email the IPAS helpdesk directly at ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team.

There is an open and fair complaints procedure set out in the House Rules & Procedures Booklet for International Protection applicants. In the event that a resident is not satisfied with how their complaint is dealt with, they have full access to the services of the Ombudsman. In addition, a dedicated Customer Services Team has also been established in IPAS and, as well as strengthening the existing resident complaints system, this team will be taking a more proactive approach to dealing with residents' issues, actively engaging with residents through customer feedback mechanisms and focus groups in the months ahead.

To provide further support to all residents, a confidential Freephone telephone support service is available. The Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS). If a resident wishes, a complaint made through this service may be passed, in confidence, to IPAS for investigation and resolution. All residents have access to this independent support helpline. IPAS is working to facilitate clinics at centres, in line with public health restrictions. The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) helpline contact number is 1800 929 00 or you can email: info@jrs.ie.

While the system is under considerable pressure because of accommodation scarcity, IPAS is working actively to seek to mitigate negative impacts for those currently accommodated by it.