Oversight Committee to discuss their report on the Direct Provision Service with department officials

The Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions will tomorrow meet with Officials from the Department of Social Protection to discuss the Committee’s recently launched report. The report examined the extension of the remit of the Ombudsman to cover all aspects and bodies associated with the Direct Provision System and the extension of Freedom of Information legislation in this area.

17th November 2015

The Committee’s report is available to read here.

Committee Chairman, Pádraig MacLochlainn TD, said “Tomorrow’s meeting allows us to really explore the findings of our report on the Ombudsman’s role in the Direct Provision System and the extension of Freedom of Information legislation with relevant Social Protection officials. The Committee made a number of specific recommendations in the area of Social Welfare and so, Members are eager to engage with those who administer the system and hear their feedback on how implementation of our findings could be achieved.”

“The Direct Provision System is one which is not fit for purpose and the Committee have long since researched and proposed methods on how it can be amended to cope with the growing need that exists in this area.”

The meeting takes place tomorrow Wednesday 18th November at 4 pm in Committee Room 3, Leinster House 2000.

Public proceedings can be followed live here.

Committee proceedings can also be viewed on the move, through the Houses of the Oireachtas Smartphone App, available for Apple and Android devices.

Media enquiries to:

Liam O’Brien
Communications Unit,
Houses of the Oireachtas,
P: +3531 618 4484
M: +353 86 189 5098
liam.obrien@oireachtas.ie 

Committee Membership:

Chairman: Pádraig MacLochlainn, Sinn Féin

Deputies:

Richard Boyd-Barrett, Independent
Paul J Connaughton, Fine Gael
Pat Deering, Fine Gael
Michael Healy-Rae, Independent
Seamus Kirk, Fianna Fáil
Michael P. Kitt, Fianna Fáil
Mary Mitchell O’Connor, Fine Gael
Michelle Mulherin, Fine Gael
Derek Nolan (Vice-Chair), Labour
Aengus Ó Snodaigh, Sinn Féin
Sean Kenny, Labour
Anthony Lawlor, Fine Gael
John Halligan, Independent
Jack Wall, Labour

Senators:

Trevor Ó Clochartaigh, Sinn Féin
Tony Mulcahy, Fine Gael
Susan O’Keeffe, Labour
Ned O'Sullivan, Fianna Fáil