Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 31 May 2016
189. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality to detail each of the 90 fully implemented recommendations of the McMahon working group report to Government on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports to asylum seekers; and when and how they came into effect. [12806/16]
View answerThis Government as set out in the new Programme for Government is “committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children”.
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 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.
