Measures have been taken to protect residents of Globe House
THE Department of Justice has confirmed that measures have been taken at Globe House to protect residents’ health and safety during the Covid-19 pandemic.
In response to an article in last week’s The Sligo Champion, regarding the transfer of residents to Galway for the duration of the pandemic, the Department released a statement detailing the measures it has taken.
The Department was criticised for its alleged slow response to the pandemic. They say they felt it was important to deal with the challenges faced by direct provision centres in a comprehensive manner in line with HSE guidelines.
“At all times, the Department has worked closely with the HSE at national and local level and moved at speed to put in place arrangements for the 7,700 international protection applicants who have opted to avail of state services while their applications are being processed.
“It was essential to tackle the challenges in a comprehensive and consistent way, in consultation with the HSE. Department personnel have worked intensively to make arrangements right across the State to deal with this unprecedented challenge and that work is continuing,” the statement said.
It continued: “Department staff are in daily contact with each centre manager across the network of Direct Provision centres.
“All our centre managers are working closely with the Department, the HSE and residents on a daily basis to ensure that centres are safe and that guidelines on social distancing are observed.”
The Department assures residents of direct provision centres that their complaints and concerns are taken seriously, and that Globe House management are committed to supporting all residents.
“The Department of Justice and Equality does not normally comment on individual cases, or on unsubstantiated allegations.
“However, we do take complaints from residents very seriously and all residents are made fully aware of their ability to contact the Department at any time in confidence to raise any queries or concerns. Residents can also avail of the services of the Ombudsman or the Ombudsman for Children, as appropriate.
“We have spoken with management from Globe House who have assured us that they are fully committed to supporting their residents through this difficult time.
“The service provider operating Globe House has twenty years’ experience providing accommodation and supports for international protection applicants.
“Generally speaking, we understand that this is a stressful and worrying time for everyone, and we want to again assure our centre residents that their safety and wellbeing is our priority.”
A number of Globe House residents have reportedly been transferred to a Galway hotel in order to adhere to social distancing recommendations, among other reasons.
“As you know, staff in the Department have been working tirelessly since February to secure additional accommodation for our residents. Over the last two weeks we have announced that 850 new temporary beds have been procured following intensive negotiations by the Department within a very short space of time.
The new beds are being used in a number of ways including:
- To support the measures required for vulnerable residents;
- To provide offsite accommodation for self-isolation, and
- To help with social distancing measures by reducing overall numbers in some existing centres.
“This increase in capacity is a critical part of our overall strategy to protect our residents. The majority of the 850 beds are being used to support social distancing by reducing the number of residents in existing communal centres.
“In consultation with the HSE, a large number of transfers of residents to this new accommodation were completed early last week, and further transfers will continue.
To protect the privacy of residents, the Department does not provide information on individual transfer locations.”
The statement confirmed that the majority of rooms are twin rooms, which are believed to be accommodating people who share rooms in Globe House as it is.
“Vulnerable people will have their own rooms and facilities, the department confirmed.
They also confirmed that there is now a maximum of three people sharing a room in Globe House and similar centres, unless they are families.
“The vast majority of the rooms in the new accommodation being used to support social distancing are twin rooms accommodating two people.
“If any person is being accommodated in these locations based on an identified vulnerability (age or medical condition), they have their own bedroom and their own bathroom to facilitate their cocooning.
“In our other centres, including Globe House, the steps we have taken to implement social distancing means that there is now a maximum of 3 people (non-family members) sharing a room.”
Residents had claimed the supply of hand sanitizer at Globe House (pictured below) was inconsistent.
The Department says it has provided these centres with items like hand sanitizer, and further deliveries will take place.
“Generally it would be the responsibility of Centre Managers to procure items such as hand sanitiser.
“However, given the circumstances at this time, the Department procured a large volume of hand sanitiser and distributed it to all centres via courier. A regular supply arrangement is now in place and further distributions will be made to centres, as needed.”