Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 26 May 2016
35. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality further to Parliamentary Question No. 33 of 17 May 2016, to provide the paragraph numbers and text of the 90 recommendations of the McMahon report which have been implemented fully and of the 26 recommendations which are in the process of being implemented and the status of the remaining 57 recommendations in tabular form; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12255/16]
View answerThe Programme for Government acknowledges that long durations in direct provision have a negative impact on family life. The new Government, as set out in our Programme for a Partnership Government, is “committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children”.
As outlined in my response to Parliamentary Question 38 of 17th May, the Report of the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process, including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers has implications for a number of Government Departments and services. Following its publication the Report was the subject of detailed discussion by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. The Committee agreed that my Department should prepare a report for the Committee, in conjunction with relevant Departments and agencies on the legal, financial and practical implications of the Report's recommendations. Relevant Government Departments and Offices were contacted seeking their views on the Report's recommendations and asking them to identify any impacts and issues that may arise and timescales for implementation. An analysis of responses was presented to the Committee which subsequently advised that recommendations should be progressed, where possible, with those requiring further consideration to be afforded such consideration as soon as practicable.
My Department has since been in regular contact with the relevant Departments and Agencies with a view to progressing the recommendations in line with the advice from the Cabinet Committee. My Department continues to actively co-ordinate implementation and has also recently engaged with relevant stakeholders to provide a progress update for the 173 recommendations in the Report. This information is currently being compiled and I will arrange for it to be forwarded to the Deputy.
