An anti-racism group is raising concerns about the welfare of residents in a Direct Provision centre in Sligo town.
United Against Racism Sligo says it is shocked and concerned about an increase in reports of alleged deteriorating conditions for those living in Globe House.
There have been complaints of lack of sanitation and hygiene products, such as toilet rolls, hand wipes, soaps and shampoo, lack of heating in rooms, and broken and inadequate showers.
United Against Racism also says some residents have said they are afraid to speak out.
Responsibility for Direct Provision moved last year from the Department of Justice to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
It told Ocean FM News that a new National Standards for accommodation centres has come into effect from the 1st January this year and the aim is to have all residents in commercial centres benefitting from independent living by the end of 2021.
The full statement from the department is printed below.
Ocean FM has also sought a statement from the company that runs Globe House.
Meanwhile, Peadar Hopkins, from United Against Racism Sligo, says they expect elected representatives to intervene.
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* The following is the full response to an enquiry from Ocean FM News from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
'The health and well-being of residents in accommodation centres is of the highest priority to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
'IPAS is always available to deal with any complaints from residents and residents are encouraged to engage with IPAS if they are unhappy with any aspect of their accommodation. Complaints from residents may be raised with centre managers in order for them to be resolved locally.
'Where a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly to IPAS or through the independent support helpline operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service and funded by the Department. All complaints are immediately investigated by IPAS.
'If a resident is not satisfied with the outcome, they may contact the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman.
'The Department is tasked under the Programme for Government with developing a new model for the provision of accommodation to protection of applicants centred on a not-for-profit basis. A White Paper outlining a strategy for achieving this objective will be published shortly.
'In the interim, the Department is continuing to pursue a policy of sourcing own door accommodation for family units, known as Independent Living, and it is expected that this will help reduce dependence on emergency accommodation while the new accommodation model is being developed. Currently, more than 68% of all residents living in accommodation centres now have access to independent living, including at the centre in question.
'New National Standards for Accommodation Centres have also come into effect as of 1 January 2021. The aim is to have all residents in commercial centres benefitting from independent living by the end of 2021,' the statement concludes.
