Reception and Intregration Agency

• Accommodation Procurement Unit
• Operations Unit
• Integration Unit
• ERF Unit (European Refugee Fund)
• Corporate Services Unit
• Statistics Unit
• Agency Management Unit
• Health Services Unit
• Education Unit

Accommodation Procurement Unit

One of the tasks of the Reception and Integration Agency under the Government's policy of direct provision is to provide residential accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers while they await the outcome of their applications for asylum in this country. To meet this requirement the Agency has entered into agreements with Contractors to provide these services.

Main Functions of the Unit

• The sourcing of accommodation for asylum seekers.
• Negotiation of contracts with proprietors.
• Monitoring and reviewing the accommodation portfolio on an ongoing basis to ensure it  adequately addresses requirements and provides value for money.

Other Functions of the Unit

• Setting criteria for initial determination of suitability of accommodation.
• On-site assessment of suitability of accommodation.
• Re-negotiation of contracts with proprietors where necessary to ensure value for money is maintained.
• Participation in inspections of accommodation centres to ensure adherence to contractual obligations.
• Monitoring contracts on an ongoing basis to ensure that current tax clearance, fire and insurance certification is in place and is up-to-date.
• Arranging for renewal or termination of existing contracts. 

Operations Unit

The main function of the Operations Unit is the organisation of accommodation for asylum seekers in line with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Asylum seekers are initially accommodated in a reception centre based in Dublin. Asylum seekers stay in Dublin for approximately ten to fourteen days. During this time they are given access to health, welfare and legal services following which they are relocated to an accommodation centre outside of Dublin.

Main Functions of the Unit

• The organisation of accommodation for asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal.
• The management of bed spaces within accommodation centres.
• Monitoring asylum seekers compliance with the reporting requirement and accommodation requirement under the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended).

Other Functions of the Unit

• Holding information and advice clinics in accommodation centres.
• Dealing with requests from asylum seekers for a transfer to other accommodation centres.
• Maintenance and updating of Reception and Integration Agency database.
• Dealing with complaints from asylum seekers regarding their accommodation.

Integration Unit

The Integration Unit of the Reception and Integration Agency has a range of responsibilities with regard to integration, the provision of information and community liaison.

Main Functions of the Unit

• Participating in the National Action Plan Against Racism and other national planning activities.
• Co-ordinating strategies aimed at the integration of refugees.
• Reception of programme refugees.
• Administration of the Small Grants Scheme for asylum seeker support groups.
• Providing information for refugees and asylum seekers through the publishing of booklets in a range of languages.
• Participating in information presentations on the work of the Agency.
• Organising conferences and seminars on relevant topics and themes.

Other Functions of the Unit

• Maintaining the Agency's library.
• Providing ongoing support for newly arrived programme refugees.
• Providing ongoing support and advice to asylum seeker support groups.
• Participating in the EU Immigration and Asylum Committee as a National Contact Point on Integration
• Co-ordinating special events for asylum seekers and refugees such as Open Days, activities around World Refugee Day.    

ERF Unit (European Refugee Fund)

The RIA is currently the responsible authority for the European Refugee Fund (ERF) in Ireland where administration of the fund is assigned to the ERF Unit.

Main Functions

• Establishing structures for administration of the ERF.
• Programmeing and overall financial control of the ERF.
• Administer calls for proposals and selection process.
• Carry out monitoring visits to projects.
• On-going liaison with the European Commission and European Court of Auditors regarding monitoring, auditing and evaluation of the ERF.
• Provision of information and technical support to projects.
• Represent the Department and the Minister on the ERF Advisory Committee in Brussels and other national and international fora.

Corporate Services Unit

Corporate Services Unit provides the support services to ensure that the Reception and Integration Agency operates as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Main Functions of the Unit

• Office management
• Financial management
• Staffing and personnel issues
• Fire, health and safety matters.
• Management support services, including coordination of:
• Replies to Parliamentary Questions
• Replies to Ministerial Representations
• Freedom of Information Requests
• Briefing material 

Statistics Unit

The Statistics Unit of the Reception and Integration Agency is charged with compiling and recording statistical information relevant to the workings of the Agency.  This information is used to produce reports which provide ready access to information regarding the numbers of asylum seekers being dealt with by the Agency.  This enables the Agency to measure the efficiency of the service it provides and also to make informed estimates regarding trends in the future.

The unit also has responsibility for the verification of accounts from state owned centres, the processing of payments for both commercial and state owned centres and the production of expenditure reports and material as required.  This enables the Agency to maintain the  accuracy of payments made in respect of these centres and the accountability of the companies charged with the management of the state owned centres.

Functions - Statistics

• compilation of statistics from all sections of the Agency and from relevant sections in other agencies eg. Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner, Refugee Appeals Tribunal.
• production of a number of statistical reports on a weekly basis.
• production of a monthly report providing information on the above and also relevant figures from other agencies.
• responding to requests for statistics both from within and outside of the Agency.
• circulating statistical information within the Agency and to any other relevant parties.

Functions - Accounts

• monitoring accounts submitted from state owned centres.
• processing payments due to both state owned and commercial centres.
• maintaining records and producing reports of expenditure and other material as requisitions.

Agency Management Unit

Main Functions

• To develop and monitor the operation of State owned accommodation centres in line with Government policy.
• To conduct inspections of all reception and accommodation centres.

State owned accommodation centres

Commercial management and catering companies are recruited by way of public tender to operate the ten State owned accommodation centres for asylum seekers. Detailed contracts are drawn up between the Agency and the company to ensure that the accommodation centres comply and operate in accordance with all statutory requirements of local authorities and State agencies in relation to bedroom capacity, food, food hygiene, water supply, fire safety and general safety.

Inspection Team

The Agency has an inspection team which conducts comprehensive inspections of each of the properties (commercial and State owned) used to accommodate asylum seekers at least on a twice yearly basis. These inspections are always unannounced and the inspectors look at all aspects of the accommodation centre in relation to the proprietors obligations under the contract - which cover such areas as reception, management and staff cover, menus and facilities being provided, maintenance of the property and fire and safety issues. Further  unannounced visits are made on a regular basis by senior management to accommodation centres throughout the State to ensure that standards are being maintained. In addition, an independent assessor has been engaged by the Agency to conduct comprehensive inspections of all centres.

Any diminution in standards which comes to the attention of the inspection teams is immediately followed up and proprietors are requested to make any changes and improvements deemed necessary. Where necessary, follow up inspections are also arranged. Diminutions in standards are treated very seriously by the Agency and in cases where they have not been remedied, contracts have been terminated.   

Health Services Unit

The Health Services Unit works closely with the Department of Health and Children, health agencies and non-governmental organisations in co-ordinating delivery of health and personal social services to asylum seekers and refugees around the country.

This Unit also works closely with the Operations and Integration Units of the Agency in relation to health aspects of the resettlement and Direct Provision programme and on issues such as education and training for health service providers working in a multi-cultural environment.

Education Unit

All asylum seeker and refugee children, including unaccompanied minors, aged between four and eighteen have a right to primary and post-primary education in a manner similar to the rest of the Irish population.

Main Functions

• To ensure that all children, resident in direct provision accommodation centres, of school going age are enrolled in school for the academic year.
• In relation to the Mosney accommodation centre, to arrange the enrolment in schools in the area of all asylum seeker children from that facility and to arrange school transport.
• Provision of information to parents of children in relation to the education system of Ireland in general and also specific information on the schools in which they intend to enrol their children.

Other Functions

• Liaising with school principals in relation to any problems they may be encountering with children from direct provision accommodation centres, checking on numbers and availability of space for further enrolment.
• When a new regional accommodation centre is opened the schools in the locality are informed and given the name and phone number of a member of the Education Unit and of the management of the centre in case they encounter any difficulties.
• Where large accommodation centres are opened the Education unit of the Agency and the Department of Education and Science meet with the principals and the chairs of the Boards of Management and brief them on the centre, the number of children expected and point out that each school in the locality will be asked to enrol some children.  

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