Direct provision centres housing asylum seekers have sufficient controls to address any threats to women or other vulnerable residents, according to Minister for Justice Dermot Ahern.
“The design and purpose of the programme is to ensure that the level of care and protection for children and vulnerable adult asylum seekers is equivalent to what is available to all children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with adult service providers in their day-to-day lives,” he wrote in response to questions submitted to him recently by Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin TD.
The minister added that Garda vetting of employees who work in the centres is part of a programme implemented by the department’s Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) that is kept under constant review.
Deputy Ó Caoláin also asked the minister about his views on establishing separate women-only accommodation for single women seeking asylum “in view of the fact that they constitute 17 per cent of asylum seekers and many are fleeing sexual violence”.
The minister responded that gender segregation is just one of several factors considered by the RIA when formulating policy, and that it is necessary for the RIA to balance available accommodation with the people seeking services.
“The RIA constantly monitors its accommodation portfolio in order to ensure a safe environment for all,” wrote Minister Ahern, “while at the same time working to maintain an efficient and effective use of bed spaces.”
He added that the accommodation centres are operated in accordance with standards set out in service contracts that cover health and safety, including security for residents and staff.
“The RIA is satisfied that the accommodation centres where there is multiple profile accommodation have sufficient controls in place to address any perception of a threat to women or other residents,” he wrote.
The minister maintained that State supports are provided onsite at centres and co-ordinated through the RIA, the Health Service Executive, the Department of Education and others. In addition, he said public health nurses, community welfare officers, general practitioners and school principals engage with residents and the RIA.
“The RIA operates information clinics whereby residents can discuss any issues which they may have, directly with RIA staff on a one-to-one basis,” Minister Ahern continued. “Should any issue arise at any accommodation centre, there is ample opportunity for such issues to be brought to the attention of RIA and other appropriate authorities.”
There are currently 54 direct provision accommodation centres throughout Ireland that house nearly 6,500 asylum seekers.
The centres, which consist of former hotels, hostels, convents and nursing homes, were intended to house people seeking protection from persecution in their home countries for no more than six months, but more than half of the residents have lived in the centres for at least two years and more than a third have lived there for more than three years.
Centre residents, who are not allowed to work, receive a weekly allowance of just €19.10 per adult and €9.60 per child.
