As the Deputy will be aware, the Government established an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including Direct Provision and support to asylum seekers. This is in fulfilment of its commitment under its Statement of Government Priorities 2014 – 2016 and comes under the remit of my colleague, the Minister for Justice and Equality.
The Working Group, under the chairmanship of former High Court Judge Bryan McMahon, had its first plenary session in November 2014. The Group’s membership is drawn from a range of interests in the international protection area including UNHCR, non-governmental organisations, the protection seeker community, academia and relevant Government Departments and Offices, including my Department and Tusla, the Child and Family Agency.
My Department took the lead for the sub group with a particular interest in children’s issues across all three themes to ensure their interests are fully understood. Across the three working sub-groups and plenary sessions there have been in excess of 40 meetings and extensive site visits to direct provision centres, consultation with residents locally and nationally and consideration of written submissions from residents and other interested bodies. My Department is also undertaking a consultation with children in Direct Provision later in 2015.
I understand that there have been a number of plenary sessions to discuss recommendations recently. The report is expected to be submitted to Government in the near future.
