Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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365. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to respond to concerns that IPAS is providing an unsafe environment for residents at a centre (details supplied). [62380/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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While the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) cannot comment publicly on individual cases, I can advise the Deputy that officials are aware of this case.

All accommodation centres are subject to routine inspections and compliance checks during the lifetime of the contract, either by Department officials, HIQA, or through IPAS-commissioned inspections. These inspections are fully transparent and published online regularly.

IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. 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.

If they wish to request IPAS accommodation they may contact the IPAS helpdesk to seek advice. The IPAS helpdesk can be contacted by email: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie.

In the event of a resident not feeling comfortable with contacting the Department directly or the centre management, the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) operate a confidential support helpline for all residents being accommodated by IPAS. The Freephone helpline is operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS).