I propose to take Questions Nos. 529, 531 to 535, inclusive, and 538 together.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible, inter alia, for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers through the policy of direct provision. The RIA is a cross-departmental Agency which coordinates service provision in areas including health, education and welfare. The RIA, through contracts with commercial sector providers, currently provides accommodation for 6,107 persons in 58 centres across 25 counties.
In relation to the level of female staff, the staffing of such centres is a matter for the contractor. Contracts between the provider and RIA refer to appropriate staffing levels and compliance with relevant employment and equality legislation. The issue of child protection is taken very seriously. Indeed, in my former role as Minister for Children, l launched the RIA's Child Protection Policy in December, 2005. This policy was drafted with the assistance of the HSE and in consultation with RIA and accommodation centre staff. The policy includes protocols for addressing child welfare concerns appropriately and effectively. All centres which accommodate children have at least one Designated Liaison Person on child protection issues.
A needs assessment was also undertaken by the RIA regarding the needs of children and families in RIA managed accommodation. This assessment incorporated consultation with a wide range of agencies, and this has enabled the improvement of inter-agency links and coordinated service delivery, as well as promoting a more pro-active response from organisations such as youth services, County/City Child Care Committees, Vocational Education Committees, HSE, libraries, statutory and voluntary agencies, and so on. Preschool services are now established in a number of centres with supports and monitoring systems in place.
Visual "storyboard" tools have also been developed to facilitate the raising of awareness amongst residents of the RIA's child protection policy. These tools are now available to direct provision centre staff and other service providers. A programme for non-Irish national parents has been developed by the RIA, and an inter-departmental / inter-agency steering group established to drive this.
Funding is also received through the EQUAL programme, aimed at supporting separated children seeking asylum as they "age out". Such supports include outreach services, mentoring, parent education and other responses to identified need.
The RIA is in the process of rolling out a series of training programmes and seminars dealing with issues such as child protection training (in conjunction with the HSE), conflict resolution and anger management and improving service delivery at accommodation centres. Some of these programmes arise from conclusions reached after a series of three two-day seminars hosted by RIA, held in Tullamore in the past seven months, on ‘Information and Good Practice' which were attended by accommodation centre staff and managers, relevant Government bodies and NGOs.
In relation to the issue of gender specific violence and torture, asylum seekers residing in the State have access to health services on the same basis as the indigenous population. In addition, there is a dedicated counselling service provided by the HSE in Dublin which specialises in issues related to victims of violence and torture among the asylum seeking population. Newly arrived asylum seekers have access to health screening, general practitioner and public health nursing services as appropriate. Those who are victims of such torture or violence can be referred directly to the counselling service by any of these health service professionals. In addition to the service provided by the HSE, an NGO called SPIRASI provides a comprehensive counselling and medical follow-up service specifically aimed at victims and survivors of torture. The SPIRASI service is funded by the HSE. In all cases, interpretation services can be accessed by relevant service providers in this area.
There is no policy or practice to search asylum seekers on arrival or during their stay in accommodation centres under the Direct Provision system. Searches may only be carried out by the Garda authorities under the powers vested in them under relevant legislation.
No regulations are in existence in relation to the type of clothing that may be worn by asylum seekers residing in the Direct Provision system. Every asylum seeker accommodated by the RIA is provided with a copy of the "Direct Provision Reception & Accommodation Centre Services, Rules and Procedures". This booklet is available in 6 languages, including English. The booklet includes information on services provided at centres, House Rules, complaints procedures, child protection and fire safety. There is an implied obligation on residents to wear clothes which do not offend accepted standards of decency or seek to deliberately conceal identity. I might add that the RIA is unaware of any issues having arisen in this area. A committee is being set up, involving interested parties such as the Irish Refugee Council, to review the above mentioned Rules and if the issue of clothing standards arises, it will be dealt with.
The decision of the Government to introduce direct provision was made against the background of a range of measures taken in other EU countries to control illegal immigration and manage the processing of large numbers of asylum applicants. Whilst no research has been commissioned by the RIA on the direct provision system in this country, the RIA is made aware of reports by NGOs and other interested bodies on various aspects of the system and account is taken of such reports.
In this context, it is widely accepted that a harmonised approach to asylum matters is by far the best approach. The introduction of direct provision in this country simply brought us in line with other EU Member States, and more particularly with our nearest neighbour, the UK, who introduced a direct provision system in April, 2000. I am satisfied that direct provision is a humane, fair and effective means of meeting the basic needs of our asylum seeker population. I would strongly contend that the treatment of asylum seekers in this country is, at a minimum, on a par with the best on offer anywhere in the world.
The statistics sought by the Deputy in relation to the overall number of residents in RIA accommodation as of 2 July, 2007 are as follows:
Gender Profile
Female 2,685
Male 3,347
Total 6,032
Age Profile
Age Range (Years)
|
Numbers in Age Range
|
0-4
|
1,194
|
5-12
|
475
|
13-17
|
183
|
18-25
|
1,039
|
26-35
|
2,000
|
26-45
|
866
|
46 -55
|
195
|
56 -65
|
55
|
65 +
|
25
|
Total
|
6,032
|
In the time available, it is not possible to provide retrospective data or to provide the breakdown above according to individual centres. This is being compiled at present and the data will be provided directly to the Deputy later this week.
In relation to the issue of closures, the RIA has terminated contracts with 68 centres since its inception. Of these, 21 were effected as part of a downsizing programme when numbers in RIA accommodation were reducing. The remainder of closures (47) were effected due to non-compliance with standards (e.g. fire certification) and contract terms or where the contractor did not wish to renew the contract.
The Guidelines for a contractor are, in essence, the contract itself. The contract places obligations on the contractor in relation to reception, management and staff issues, menus and food for infants and school-going children, maintenance of the property and fire and safety standards. It is the policy of the RIA to conduct regular comprehensive inspections on properties used to house asylum seekers. These inspections are carried out internally by RIA staff and externally by an independent company with specific expertise in Hazard and Critical Control Point (HACCP) analysis (food and food hygiene) and fire safety standards. In addition, all premises are subject to inspection by the Environmental Health Officer and Fire Officer.
The contracts entered into by the RIA place obligations on the contractor to ensure that there is a standard of accommodation and service in place. All contractors are obliged to ensure that their premises complies with and operates in accordance with, all relevant statutory requirements of local authorities in relation to planning, building, bye-laws, bedroom capacity, food, food hygiene, water supply, sewage disposal, fire precautions and general safety.