Direct Provision System

Tuesday, 17 June 2014

Questions (546, 549, 582)

Thomas Pringle

Question:

546. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to end the current system of direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25252/14]

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549. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will initiate a review of the direct provision scheme for asylum seekers, which has seen adults and children confined to totally unsuitable accommodation for many years in total violation of their human rights and dignity. [25274/14]

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Terence Flanagan

Question:

582. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to reform the system of direct provision for asylum seekers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25739/14]

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Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality

I propose to take Questions Nos. 546, 549 and 582 together.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the accommodation of protection applicants in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision and dispersal. Direct provision provides for full board accommodation supports while a final decision is awaited by a person on their protection or any related leave to remain application.

The numbers of asylum seekers residing in direct provision has reduced significantly over the last five years. At the end of December, 2013 there were 4,360 residents in direct provision compared with 6,494 at the end of December, 2009. This represents a reduction of 2,134, or 33%, in the number of residents in direct provision in that period. Compared to the numbers residing in direct provision at its highest point in April, 2005 (8,080), there has been a reduction of 46% or 3720 persons in the intervening nine years.

The operation of the Direct Provision system is kept under review and I acknowledge that the length of time that residents spend in Direct Provision is an issue to be addressed. I have no desire for applicants to remain in the protection system any longer than the minimum period it takes to process their case. The Direct Provision system is not ideal but it is a system which facilitates the State in providing a roof over the head of those seeking asylum or seeking to be allowed, on humanitarian grounds, to stay in the State.

The Direct Provision system is inextricably linked to the surrounding international protection process. By its very nature, the processing of applications for international protection is a solemn and complex task which does not always lend itself to achieving speedy outcomes. The time needed to determine the outcome of any legal proceedings also impacts on the length of the process. A substantial proportion of cases in the High Court relate to judicial review proceedings taken or decisions reached in the international protection arena.

A key priority for this Government is legislative reform aimed at establishing a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection and any other grounds presented by applicants seeking to remain in the State. Such reform would substantially simplify and streamline the existing arrangements by removing the current multi-layered and sequential processes and provide applicants with a final decision on their application in a more straightforward and timely fashion. In consultation with my officials, I am reviewing the work done to date in respect of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill and will then decide on how best to progress the implementation of the Government's priorities, in particular to expedite those relating to the establishment of a single application procedure.