Our Ref DOJ-FOI-2020-0362 Dear I refer to the request which you have made under the Freedom of Information Act 2014 (2014 Act) for the following;  Minutes of all meetings held in the period April 1st 2020 to May 31st 2020 in relation to direct provision services in Cahersiveen. Decision A decision on your request was made by two Assistant Principal Officers in this Department, Ms. Sarah Ni Ruairic and Ms. Amy Sheils who have decided to part grant your request in accordance with Section 37 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014 When considering your request the decision maker took into account the definition of personal information in Section 2 of the FOI Act: "An Act to enable members of the public to obtain access to the greatest extent possible consistent with the public interest and the right to privacy…" and to Section 2 which clarifies personal information as: “personal information” means information about an identifiable individual that, either— (a) would, in the ordinary course of events, be known only to the individual or members of the family, or friends, of the individual, or (b) is held by an FOI body on the understanding that it would be treated by that body as confidential Section 37 Personal information 37. (1) Subject to this section, a head shall refuse to grant an FOI request if, in the opinion of the head, access to the record concerned would involve the disclosure of personal information (including personal information relating to a deceased individual). 51 Faiche Stiabhna, Baile Átha Cliath 2, D02 HK52 51 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 HK52 T +353 1 6028202 info@justice.gov.ie www.justice.gov.ie The records that have been withheld contain personal information such as the person’s name, marital status, age and gender on International Protection applicants accommodated in Caherciveen that would allow them to be identified by the reader. The records also contain medical information pertaining to those persons. Having considered the public interest in respect of these records, the Decision Makers consider that the public interest is best served by not releasing them. Rights of Appeal If you are dissatisfied with the above decision you may seek an internal review of same by writing to me within 20 working days of the date of this notification, referring to this decision in your letter. The making of a late appeal may be permitted in appropriate circumstances. The appeal will involve a complete reconsideration of the matter by a more senior member of the staff of this body and the decision will be communicated to you within 15 working days. Yours sincerely, Aisling Brennan _____________________________ Aisling Brennan Freedom of Information Coordination Officer 17 July 2020 ….. 2 FOI Request Reference: FOI-DOJ-FOI-2020-0362 Schedule 1 Schedule of Records : Summary of Decision Making - Sarah Ní Ruairc Record No Date of Record Brief description No. of pages Decision: Grant/Part Grant/Refuse Section of Act if Applicable Record Edited/Identify Deletions 1 5th June 2020 Notes of video meeting held with residents Refused S37 Personal information 2 22nd May 2020 Refused S37 Personal information 3 18th May 2020 Email summarising findings of Zoom clinic Email summarising findings of Zoom clinic Refused S37 Personal information 4 16th April 2020 Minutes of Outbreak Control Team Meeting Refused S37 Personal information 5 25th April 2020 Minutes of Outbreak Control Team Meeting Refused S37 Personal information 6 27th April Minutes of Outbreak Control Team Meeting Refused S37 Personal information 7 25th April 2020 Email re HSE Memo Part Granted S37 Redacted – personal details omitted Record Date of No. Record Brief Description No. of Pages Grant/Refuse Section of Act for Refusals / Redactions Details of Refusals/ Redactions / Editing Other topics discussed at the meeting which fall outside of the scope of the request 1 27/04/2020 Minutes of meeting between IPAS and HSE officials 2 Granted 2 30/04/2020 Minutes of meeting between IPAS and HSE officials 2 Granted 3 08/05/2020 Minutes of IPAS child and family meeting 2 Part Granted Redactions on the basis that the meeting covered other topics outside the scope of the request Redactions on the basis that the meeting covered other topics outside the scope of the request S.37 4 12/05/2020 Minutes of IPAS child and family meeting 2 Part Granted S.37 Other topics discussed at the meeting which fall outside of the scope of the request Personal information has been redacted, as well as other topics discussed which fall outside the scope of the request. Personal information has been redacted, as well as other topics discussed which fall outside the scope of the request. 5 15/05/2020 Minutes of IPAS child and family meeting 2 Part Granted S.37 Personal information has been redacted, as well as other topics discussed which fall outside the scope of the request. HSE and IPAS Teleconference 27 April 2020 8.45 am Draft Note Attendance: DJE- Mark Wilson, David Delaney, Michael Kirrane, Shane O'Connor, Brian Merriman, Amy Sheils (secretary) HSE – Margaret Fitzgerald, Joe Barry, Tony Quilty, Gabriel Fitzpatrick, Therese Donnellan, Donal Cassidy, Jane Ann McKenna, Aoife Davey, Ruth Armstrong Apologies: Joseph Doyle Next teleconference: Thursday 30 April at 8.45 Update on CHO 4 Participants discussed the testing activity over the weekend at the Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen. Margaret noted that at local level management of outbreaks is done by the appointed medical officer. They convene an outbreak control team (OCT) to gather information and decide on control measures and recommendations. While certain issues are local, Margaret noted there is a role for the social inclusion unit to support cohesive measures and they will support the message that some of the recommendations need to be reviewed for IPAS centres. Michael outlined two issues of concern for IPAS regarding the recommendations made by the OCT, which do not reflect previous guidance on thinning from the HSE and will not be possible to implement. The first is the recommendation for residents who have tested negative to be moved to their own room, the second is the requirement to move all staff off-site and employ a public health nurse on-site. The employment of a public health nurse would be a matter for the HSE, not the Department of Justice and Equality. Margaret and her team will also speak with the medical officer in CHO 4 to urgently clarify the issues raised. HSE and IPAS Teleconference 30 April 2020 8.45 am Draft Note Attendance: DJ E- Mark Wilson, David Delaney, Michael Kirrane, Shane O'Connor, Brian Merriman, Amy Sheils (secretary) HSE Margaret Fitzgerald, Joe Barry, Tony Quilty, Gabriel Fitzpatrick, Therese Donnellan, Donal Cassidy, Jane Ann McKenna, Aoife Davey, Ruth Apologies:Joseph Doyle Next teleconference: Tuesday 5 May at 8.45 Update on Cahersiveen Michael updated on the situation in the Skellig Star Hotel in Cahersiveen and highlighted the public health risk of moving anyone atthis time, including in the context of the comments. IPAS COVID 19 - Child and Family Wellbeing Draft Meeting Note 8 May 20 Attendees: Mark Wilson, Bernard Cantillon, Judy Howard, Jacinta Callinan, Amy Sheils (Secretary) Child and Family Welfare Education Supports Activities for children Cahersiveen: Judy noted that there are.children in the Skellig Star Hotel to link with schools. Bernard shared a document outlining contact points (see attached). 19 - Child and Family Wellbeing Draft Meeting Note 12 May 20 Attendees: Mark Wilson, Bernard Cantillon, Judy Howard, Jacinta Callinan, Amy Sheils (Secretary) Cahersiveen Bernard updated on his activities in the Cahersiveen centre. He has spoken With?Jf the'families there over the weekend to work to improve their wellbeing. Tusla has secured funding for tablets for children in the centre. Judy and Bernard will liaise further on this. The centre manager has confirmed that kettles and cups are in each room and good social distancing measures are in place. Puzzle books for adults and children have been circulated in the centre. Ethnic snacks have been sourced for residents and phone credit of 50 euro per person has been provided. Bernard will follow up with the centre on a few issues residents raise, including TV channels. Jacinta and the EWOs are engaging with residents in Cahersiveen about schools. General activities Education activity: CCMA IPAS COVID 19 - Child and Family Wellbeing Draft Meeting Note 15 May 20 Attendees: Mark Wilson, Bernard Cantillon, Judy Howard, Jacinta Callinan, Darren Ryan, Amy Sheils (Secretary) 1. Persons with status 2. Update on Tusla Education Support Service 3. Update on Education 4. Child Welfare and Protection Update on Cahersiveen Mark updated on the provision of laptops to residents. Tusla has made 1500 euro available for the needs of children. Bernard will be speaking again to the families in the centre in the coming days and has followed up on some of the queries raised in the initial calls, e.g. in relation to TV channels. Sarah Ni Ruairc From: David M. Delaney Sent: Saturday 25 April 2020 23:02 To: Oonagh M. Buckley; Michael J. Kirrane; Shane P. O?Connor; Mark X. Wilson; Brian Merriman; Louise P. Sandom Cc: Aengus X. Casey Subject: Fwd: Memo; from HSE Public Health to residents in Skellig Star Caherciveen FYI folks. I responded within minutes. so I hope I slipped in before circulation. I don?t like some other lines, but wanted to get back in the big issue ASAP. David. From: David M. Delaney Date: 25. April 2020 at 22:58:13 IST To:? Cc: Subject: Re: Memo; from HSE Public Health to residents in Skellig Star aherciveen Please note the line highlighted in yellow has been taken on board by the Department and being looked into. however as stated in the 3.30pm meeting and reiterated at a 6pm meeting the Department cannot commit to such a position at this time. The Department of Justice and Centre management are working to make sure that everyone will be in their own single/family room. I hope this makes the position clear and I assume the line will be taken out of the memo. Let me know when it is intended to circulate the memo to residents. Regards. David Delaney From: Date: 25. April 2020 at 22:44:57 IST To:? Cc: Subject: Memo: from HSE Public Health to residents in Skellig Star aherciveen Importance: High Dear resident, This is an update on the Covid 19 testing that was carried out in the Skellig Centre this week. Firstly we appreciate your co-operation and understanding; the testing was done to help prevent the spread of infection and to ensure that anyone who has been exposed to this virus is properly cared for. As was expected some positive results have arrived and these residents will be cared for offsite to ensure their care while they recover from the infection. Fortunately, they are all doing well. All other residents will be monitored in the centre for the next fourteen days, we need to be alerted to any symptoms such as the development of a cough or a fever. Hand hygiene, social distancing and cough hygiene are of great importance for all of us in the fight against this infection. We are asking all residents to stay on the grounds of the centre to self-isolate for the next 14 days. It is appreciated that this does restrict you but it is essential to prevent spread of the infection and to protect your health and wellbeing at this difficult time. The Department of Justice and Centre management are working to make sure that everyone will be in their own single/family room. What you need to do: - Stay in the Skellig Star at all times over the next 14 days unless agreed by Public Health - Not have visitors to your room - Follow centre management rules re collecting your meals, and eating in your room - Follow centre management rules so that you can exercise in the back outside area of the Skellig Star - Do not use transport - Do not have contact with older people, pregnant women and anyone with underlying health conditions The HSE and Department of Justice and Centre management are collaborating to make this self-isolation a success. Further details and updates will be provided as often as possible. We will support you in every way we can , and we need and appreciate your full co-operation. 2