1356. Deputy Michael Collins asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration given the implementation of the EU Migration and Asylum Pact and the increasing long-term use of large-scale international protection accommodation centres, whether new operational standards or regulations will be introduced governing the management of such centres (details supplied), the interaction between centre management, residents and the local community and the provision of designated recreational and social spaces within centres; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42378/26]

The provision of supports and services to people seeking international protection is a whole of Government response.

Residents of IPAS centres are provided with range of supports. 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.

The Department's Community Engagement Team (CET) was established in late 2023 to engage directly with elected representatives, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, community members, and other service providers in advance of a new centre opening.

In relation to larger State-owned sites, the model of engagement has been developed to plan for more meaningful dialogue to support these larger centres, particularly those on state-owned lands being developed under Government policy to move away from dependence on commercial providers.

The CET team also links with other stakeholders outside of immediate openings of centres to build relationships and networks with key groups. This includes meetings with Community Integration Fora, Local Development Companies (LDCs) and other non-governmental organisations.