Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 November 2014
315. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice and Equality her views on the policy of direct provision and dispersal of asylum applicants; her further views on whether she may stand over the way this policy has been applied in practice, from its introduction to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43194/14]
View answerThe 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. Currently, approximately, 4,300 persons are residing in 34 asylum accommodation centres under contract to RIA.
I and previous Ministers have explained before in detail to this House how direct provision came about in response to a major accommodation crisis that existed at the time of its establishment. At its high point in 2005, the number of persons residing in direct provision was 8080.
The existence of the direct provision system over the last 14 years has ensured that the State has been able to ensure that those who claim international protection in this country - and do not have the means to support themselves - have been provided with accommodation and a range of ancillary services including health care and education. During this period, no asylum seeker has ever been left homeless, and over 52,000 people have been provided with accommodation under the direct provision system since its establishment in 2000.
Nonetheless, the Government is committed to making real improvements to the protection process, including direct provision. We made a number of commitments to this end in the Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016. This included a commitment to establish an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including Direct Provision and supports for asylum seekers. The terms of reference and membership of the Working Group, under the chairmanship of former High Court Judge Bryan MacMahon, is published on RIA's website - www.ria.gov.ie.
The first plenary meeting of the Group took place yesterday with both myself and Minister of State Ó Ríordáin in attendance and a work programme was agreed. I recognise that the issues to be examined by the Working Group are complex and require thorough consideration to ensure that any recommendations are practical and sustainable from a budgetary perspective and do not interfere with existing border controls and immigration policies. The agreed terms of reference do not indicate any timeframe for the Working Group's deliberations but I would welcome a report by Easter.
