A resident at Knockalisheen Direct Provision Centre is criticising the facility for what he says is a ‘lack of human decency’.
Bulelani Mfaco’s room mate tested positive for COVID-19 in recent days and he has been forced to isolate as a result.
Images circulated widely on social media showed food delivered to his room without cutlery and subsequently a fork and a plastic knife were left on the floor outside.
The reception of the centre subsequently apologised for the incident, but Bulelani feels let down by it.
Statement from Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth:
The Department does not comment on specific COVID-19 cases or outbreaks, but broadly speaking, it is guided by the advice of Public Health officials in each Community Health Organisation area in how cases of COVID-19 at centres in their region are to be managed, including decisions on when and where off-site isolation is deemed necessary. Where off-site isolation is deemed necessary, a resident is transferred to the recommended off-site facility and supported while there. The Department will continue to work with the HSE and the Department of Health in the best interests of all residents whilst we remain in the midst of this unprecedented pandemic.
The health and wellbeing of all residents during the pandemic remains the highest priority for this Department. To that end, a wide range of measures have been put in place across the accommodation network to address any COVID-19 related issues, should they arise. These measures were implemented in collaboration with the HSE and informed by regional public health officials and infection control teams.
The measures, which are kept under regular review by a joint HSE/DCEDIY monitoring group, include:
• Provision for self-isolation facilities in Centres and offsite self-isolation at HSE and IPAS isolation facilities
• Increased capacity to support physical and social distancing
• Enhanced cleaning regimes and provision of PPE
• Regular communications and information, translated into several languages, on public health advice to residents and centre managers
• Provision of a free, confidential and independent support line for residents operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service
• Cocooning of all medically vulnerable and over 65 residents
• HSE Accommodation scheme for healthcare workers
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. Minor complaints may be raised with centre managers in order for them to be resolved locally. Where a complaint is significant in nature or a resident is not comfortable raising a complaint with a centre manager, they may make the complaint directly, or through a representative authorised to act on their behalf, to the IPAS Customer Service Team. All residents also have access to an independent support helpline operated by the Jesuit Refugee Service and funded by the Department. Complaints regarding services at an IPAS centre are generally acknowledged within the same working day as they are logged, and referred immediately to the relevant team within IPAS for action. After referral to IPAS, if a resident remains unsatisfied with the outcome of their complaint, they also have recourse to raise their issue with the Office of the Ombudsman or the Office of the Children’s Ombudsman.
