My Department does not collate the data in the manner requested by the Deputy.
My Department oversees contractual compliance of its Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP) accommodation portfolio through proactive and reactive inspections. Often investigations are initiated by investigating complaints my Department receives through its dedicated Ukraine ticketing system, from external partners such as the Local Authorities and NGOs, and through the work of its Compliance Team.
Investigations by the Compliance Team may result in a termination of a contract but in many cases issues can be addressed and rectified. Issues range from minor property concerns (e.g. repairs needed) to complaints regarding food quality, and also those which cannot be regularised and relate to more serious matters, such as overcharging, the use of secondary properties, health and safety and other concerns. It is the latter group that are prioritised for termination. Other contracts have and will be terminated for consolidation and administrative purposes and to address value for money concerns. Providers can also terminate contracts with my Department, as is permitted in their contractual terms.
Since the Compliance Team was established in June 2023, 255 providers have been investigated for compliance concerns which vary in nature. In this period, 69 providers with 125 properties between them have been terminated for compliance reasons and 57 providers have been regularised with compliance concerns addressed.
Approximately 6,500 BOTPs are associated with properties that have been reviewed by the Compliance Team, with moves resulting for 3,800 people. The number of providers on the DCEDIY compliance list changes weekly, and as stated not all of these will require termination.
IP
Regular inspections on International Protection accommodation are conducted after the award of contracts to check if compliance with contractual standards are continuously met. These inspections focus on, but are not limited to, assessing living conditions, facilities and the overall compliance with health and safety, and legal regularity standards. Inspections include both scheduled and unannounced visits.
International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation centres are currently subject to regular unannounced inspections by both my officials and by an independent inspection company. The aim is that these inspections are undertaken twice yearly by officials in IPAS and once yearly by the independent inspectorate company. This target has not been consistently met to date, however, additional resources are continuing to be applied in an effort to reach these targets.
There have been 224 Inspections carried out on centres accommodating International Protection applicants from January 2023 to date; this consists of 105 inspections in 2023, and 119 from January 2024 to present.
Following an inspection, a report is sent to the Accommodation Provider outlining all issues deemed to fall short of their contractual obligations for review. Any follow-up or corrective actions required by my Department are listed in the inspection report, and the provider is required to respond to the report within 14 days, showing how all requested actions will be undertaken as per contractual obligations within an agreed time period. Inspectors conduct follow-ups depending on the type of issues identified during the site inspection. Documentary proof of evidence of improvements is requested for my Department’s consideration. Contractual clauses relating to the remedies open to my Department for non-adherence to contractual obligations are applied as necessary.
Details of IPAS Inspection Reports are published by my Department and can be found on gov.ie www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/
