Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
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527. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he has engaged with the Private Security Authority and-or the Minister for Justice in respect of the enforcement guard sector in the context of IPAS accommodation contractors engaged by his Department and the requirement for employees in those accommodations to hold an enforcement guard licence. [22775/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) carefully appraises each property that is offered for use as accommodation for International Protection (IP) applicants before contracts are issued, and properties are also subject to pre-occupancy inspections to ensure they are adhering to the requisite standards. IPPS advises all potential providers of accommodation of the need to provide sufficient security to protect their property while the appraisal process is underway, and furthermore, to the requirement to maintain the safety and security of the IP applicants for which they will be providing accommodation once contracted.

IPPS contracts for the provision of services to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants. Part of that service provision includes the requirement for the accommodation to be adequately staffed to maintain the privacy and security of residents. The security requirement is determined on a case by case basis by the provider.

There is an onus on the provider and the relevant security staff to comply with industry and regulatory requirements.

In the event that the Department contracts security directly, there is engagement with the Private Security Authority as required.