The Department of Integration appraises properties for temporary emergency accommodation based on the criteria outlined in the current International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) proposal form. The proposals criteria are drawn from various sources such as the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) National Standards , the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage Guidelines for New Emergency Accommodation (Sep 22), and the DCEDIY guidelines on accommodation for Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection(BOTPS) of Ukraine.
Once an offer of accommodation is received, IPPS sends the proposal form to the prospective provider to complete and return. The proposal template seeks to gather as much information as is reasonably practicable to facilitate an objective assessment of the suitability of the premises to accommodate International Protection (IP) applicants. This includes information on the building's safety and fitness for occupancy, its catering provision and room sizes, its recreational and lounge facilities and various other criteria such as wi-fi, security provision and staffing. The location, layout and configuration of the bedrooms will help determine if the property is suitable for families, couples or single gender use. When assessing accommodation, there is a minimum bed space requirement of 4.65m2 per person. Additionally, the ceiling height should be 2.4m high. The maximum no of beds per room and per property can then be established from this.
There is a requirement for at least 1 toilet for every 8 spaces, hand wash basins with 24 hour hot and cold water supply at a ratio of 1 per 6 bed spaces, and showers available with 24 hour hot and cold water supply at a ratio of 1 per 12 bed spaced. Properties must also ensure that there is a toilet, wash hand basin and Shower provided for persons with severe mobility impairment (and considered in the context of similar bedroom provision).
In the proposal form, prospective providers are invited to provide proposed rate per person for this operation that factors in all services provided such as security, laundry, food provision, staffing, cleaning etc. Properties will be assessed based on their location, building type, the level of capital required to bring the property to Department standards of accommodation and the level of service being provided at the proposed centre. The rate will then be negotiated on and agreed with the provider. Contract duration is typically for a year, although there have been a number of contracts with longer durations, and this is decided on a case by case basis. Criteria are amended periodically as required.
All offers are subject to full compliance with requisite statutory legal regulatory requirements being in place.
