Thread: Dept of Justice considered camper vans for residents of direct provision to self-isolate if "urgent response" was required. Detail contained in minutes of meetings of International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) which has been obtained under FOI. This one April 1 
April 1: Dept wants to ensure there are no more than three people to a room in direct provision. Possibility of moving residents from 10 B&Bs around the country to different facilities is also considered:
April 1: The Dept says arrangements are being put in place for the transport of suspect or confirmed Covid-19 cases in their care. The "contingency option" of using the Irish Prison Service for transport is raised:
April 2: Meeting is told of concerns coming back from operators of direct provision centres about "residents not complying with social distancing requirements". The challenges of distancing in "small spaces" is raised as is the fact that care sector staff live in such centres:
April 2: Cocooning of direct provision residents who are over 65 "is in hand". They are also in communication with the HSE about "people with vulnerabilities" to Covid-19:
April 2: Isolation facilities are also being put in place around the country, with the possibility - if needed - of five centres and 541 isolation rooms:
April 2: Difficulties in securing personal protective equipment (PPE) are raised as it is being prioritised for the HSE. Suggests they could be contacted if there is an outbreak and it needs to be contained:
April 3: Cocooning of older residents is almost complete. An assessment of residents with particular vulnerabilities to Covid-19 is also underway. "So far a low number of applicants have been identified ..."
April 6: Queries are coming in about Cahersiveen and whether there are plans to move more people into the town. A note is to be drafted saying that there will be no further movements or contracts apart from the Skellig Hotel:
April 8: A total of 537 people have been moved to facilitate social distancing and to create capacity for "vulnerable categories". That's about 7% of the total population in direct provision:
April 9: Meeting was told moves to reduce density in centres was complete. The issue around B&Bs was revisited and it was decided residents would remain in that accommodation for the time being:
April 15: Meeting is told that liaison has taken place with gardaí about "residents ignoring rules on self-isolation and social distancing". Gardaí have suggested a postering campaign that would be promoted in centres:
April 20: Briefing on confirmed cases has been sent to both Ministers (Flanagan and Stanton). Department had said in response to an FOI that such briefing was taking place verbally. More on that later:
April 21: Meeting is told that gardaí are looking at a visit to Cahersiveen to "strengthen the message around social distancing"
April 22: Mass testing at some direct provision centres has begun. The impact on staffing at these centres would need to be considered:
April 22: Issues around child welfare and child protection are discussed including the number of Leaving Cert students in direct provision. Improvement of Wi-Fi capacity at centres is also on the agenda:
April 23: Mass testing is back on the agenda. Dept of Justice is concerned that this could "impact [their] ability to manage the problem both from public health and IPAS [international protection] perspectives":
April 23: The issue of care workers living in direct provision system is also raised. The take-up rate for HSE accommodation for these people has only been about 10%. "Participants discussed ways to encourage residents to take up the offer ..."
April 23: Accommodation strategy for the end of the crisis would see maximum of three residents to a room. Use of emergency accommodation would also be ended. "The initial indications are that it would also secure savings on the budget."
April 24: A briefing note is being prepared for the Department of the Taoiseach on the growing controversy around the centre at Cahersiveen:
April 25: Update on outbreak of Covid-19 in the centre at Cahersiveen. HSE considers that everyone in the centre is considered a close contact. Residents have been advised not to leave the centre. "Although it is not mandatory and the HSE are not invoking powers to enforce this."
April 25: Update on outbreak in Cahersiveen (cont'd). Contingency measures to bring in outside staff are discussed and it was agreed that "communication to residents was paramount"
April 27: The Cahersiveen centre is near the top of the agenda again. The Taoiseach and Health Minister are being briefed:
April 27 (cont'd): The HSE want to "reduce movement as much as possible in the Skellig Star Hotel". Medical staffing can also be provided if needed:
April 28: There will be twice daily temperature checks for residents and staff at the Cahersiveen hotel. A local newspaper will be spoken to about identification of an applicant for international protection and reminded of their "legal obligations"
April 28: The impact of Covid-19 restrictions on children in direct provision will be looked at. Issues around access to laptops and tablet for schooling have been a problem at a number of centres:
April 29: There have been no new confirmed cases in Cahersiveen and the HSE is happy with how things are working from an "isolation perspective". The growing news coverage was also discussed:
April 29: There are no issues with the supply of PPE and a three-week supply has been sent to centres. Any centres running low on hand sanitizer will also be asked if they need any more:
April 30: Every resident at the Skellig Star Hotel (that is not part of a family) has been offered a single room. Some have "refused that offer however". They will follow up with HSE on "position that residents cannot move out of Cahersiveen due to the outbreak"
April 30: Comments from CMO Tony Holohan have caused serious concern. If people weren't allowed share a room, up to 1,500 new beds could be needed. There would be significant supply issues, "enormous local concerns", and logistical issues if this ended up the case:
April 30: There are some reports that some residents are refusing to be tested for Covid-19. This was being followed up by the HSE:
May 1: Update that residents are generally very happy to be tested. "The HSE is following up on cases where individuals do not want to be tested." Minister Flanagan has again been briefed on the latest developments in Cahersiveen:
May 1: Communications plan around Cahersiveen is also discussed particularly around suggestions a confirmed case was brought to Kerry. "Nobody was awaiting a test or a result at the time of transfer."
May 1: Connectivity appears to be an issue at a number of centres. "Work is ongoing to increase WiFi strength in centres."
May 5: A meeting will take place between the two ministers at Dept of Justice and Simon Harris. The "Section 39 presence" (I think) would be getting not for profit healthcare type organisations involved at each centre:
May 5: The meeting is told that there is a daily media presence at the centre in Cahersiveen. "Some residents are not following social distancing advice in the centre." Self-isolation facilities nationwide are below 51% capacity:
May 5: Issues over some residents declining to be tested are again raised. HSE has agreed that people should return to their centre of origin after self-isolation. However, that would not be the case with Cahersiveen:
All of these minutes have been published in the public interest by @RightToKnowIE: documentcloud.org/documents/6929…
