196. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will commit to ensuring that all forthcoming security and management tenders for facilities (details supplied) explicitly include protocols within service level agreements (SLAs) requiring contractors to assist residents in distress when they are outside the immediate campus boundaries; the specific mechanisms by which his Department ensures that resident welfare and community safety are maintained when residents are in the surrounding locality, and how these responsibilities are formalised and monitored within private management contracts; if he will mandate that new tenders for these facilities define a clear duty of care extending beyond the facility gates, particularly to address reported gaps in responsibility during medical or psychiatric emergencies involving residents in the local community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38047/26]

198. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to provide a detailed statement on the specific clauses within service-level agreements (SLAs) with private contractors managing facilities (details supplied) that define the "boundary of responsibility" regarding the welfare and safety of residents; if these contracts stipulate that the duty of care for residents ceases once an individual passes beyond the facility gates, as reportedly claimed by security staff during a medical emergency involving a 22-year-old resident on 9 May 2026; the way in which his Department ensures that resident welfare and community safety are maintained when residents are in the surrounding locality, and whether current SLAs include protocols for contractors to assist residents in distress outside the immediate campus; whether any risk or safeguarding assessments have been conducted to evaluate the impact of this perceived "responsibility gap" on the local community and the health outcomes of vulnerable residents; the steps being taken to ensure that centre management, An Garda Síochána, and the National Ambulance Service have a coordinated response protocol for incidents involving residents that occur in the public domain (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38049/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 196 and 198 together.

The contracted accommodation provider at an IPAS centre is obliged to ensure provision of staffing and services at the centre.

Security and supervision arrangements are provided for under the contract and include the need to comply with the licensing requirements of the Private Security Authority (PSA).

Accommodation is currently provided in over 300 locations all over the country, in every county. 1 in 4 of our residents is a child with their family. Many people seeking international protection are working in the local community, participating in training and attending school within the local community.

Regardless of their regular accommodation setting, if a person experiences a medical emergency within a community setting, the appropriate action is to contact the emergency services who are equipped to respond appropriately.

The provision of supports and services to people seeking international protection is a whole of Government response. IPAS works closely with the HSE. People applying for international protection access health services through mainstream services: primary care, GP and emergency services. IPAS will advise their HSE liaison in advance of residents being accommodated.

While accommodated at the Citywest Reception and Accommodation centre, residents will receive the same supports as at other IPAS locations. This includes access to medical care via the HSE social inclusion outreach teams and medical card provision; IPAS customer services team clinics; onsite support from the provider’s staff; and psycho-social and integration support from NGO partners.

IPAS has a dedicated Resident Welfare Team comprising subject matter experts seconded to the team on a full-time basis, as well as a number of support officers, who direct applicants with special reception needs within our accommodation, to relevant services or provide other appropriate information, as required. These include Social Workers and personnel from the National Social Inclusion Office at the HSE, Educational Welfare Officers (EWOs) from the Tusla Education Support Services (TESS).

Where appropriate, the Resident Welfare Team engages with the centre managers and NGOs on-site to ensure that an applicant’s reception needs can be addressed within their current accommodation centre, providing information and support and signposting persons to relevant services. IPAS Social Workers seconded to the Resident Welfare Team are available to help applicants with high levels of vulnerability, and can make onward referrals to services and advocate for vulnerable persons as appropriate.

If a medical emergency arises within an IPAS accommodation centre, centre managers are required to contact National Emergency Services. IPAS has protocols and procedures in place for centre managers to submit incident reports and to report emergencies that occur within the accommodation setting to IPAS.