Providers of International Protection (IP) accommodation who operate a self-catering model, as with Inchicore Suites, have two options for food provision; vouchers or top-up card.
The voucher system is arranged by the provider with a shop in the area whereby residents receive a voucher for the relevant number of points (e.g. 62 points/€62 for a single adult) at that shop for the purchase of food. Points are limited based on the cohort and unused points should be able to be carried from week-to-week by residents.
Top-up cards are arranged with any number of card service providers for residents to spend at a shop of their choosing which accepts card payments, again to the same point values. The same rules apply as with vouchers.
The Tesco in question is the nearest shop to the centre being roughly a 2 minute walk away and is also the largest shop in the immediate area, however the provider could transition to a card based system to provide access to a greater number of shopping locations.
There will need to be some time allowed for this course of action to allow for the necessary administration to be put in place for the card system. Alternatively the provider could be requested to change voucher system to another shop deemed suitable by the Department.
