Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 22 June 2016
71. Deputy Catherine Connolly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she has taken and she will undertake pursuant to the programme for Government's commitment to reforming the direct provision system, with particular focus on families and children; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17371/16]
View answerAs the Deputy mentions, the Government is committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children.
Every effort is made to provide a high level of service to persons in the system. The Direct Provision system comprises not just full board accommodation but a range of services including health, education and welfare supports. The principal issue of concern with Direct Provision relates to the period of time in which applicants - many of whom have multiple court appeals - live in the system.
The previous Government established the Working Group on Improvements to the Protection Process including Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers, chaired by Judge Bryan McMahon, to report to it on this issue. The Report of the Working Group has implications for a number of Government Departments and services.
The McMahon Report indicated a two-way approach towards improving the life of persons within the protection process by (i) improving the application process and thereby reducing the length of time spent by applicants in State provided accommodation and (ii) improving the quality of life of those in accommodation through improvements of services within the accommodation system itself but also the supports available through other agencies and bodies.
The 173 recommendations in the Report were taken forward by the Cabinet Committee on Social Policy and Public Service Reform. To date, a total of 91 have been implemented, a further 49 recommendations have been partially implemented or are in progress, and the balance remain under consideration.
Just last week I met with those NGOs who participated on the Working Group to bring them up to date on the implementation of those recommendations and I have agreed with them that we would meet on a regular basis with regard to the reforms planned or in process to improve living conditions in centres.
The International Protection Act 2015 responds to 26 of the Report's recommendations. The Act provides for the introduction of a single application procedure for international protection which is a key recommendation of the Report. The single procedure is specifically aimed at addressing the length of time persons spend in the protection process. The new procedure will significantly streamline and speed up the processing of protection applications and will reduce the length of time that persons spend in the Direct Provision system. Preparations for commencement of the single procedure are progressing. I expect that the relevant provisions in the Act will be signed into law later this year.
The Reception and Integration Agency is working on solutions in respect of the key improvements in living conditions and catering solutions for families. There are legal and technical challenges which need to be tackled as part of this work. Catering solutions are already in place in some centres and a pilot project will be commenced shortly at an additional centre with a view to rolling out that model across centres in the coming months.
I am also making arrangements for those living in the system to have access to both the Office of the Ombudsman for Children and the Ombudsman.
I should also point out that accommodation centres are subject to regular and frequent inspections by staff of the Reception and Integration Agency and by independent external contractors. The reports of these inspections are published on the RIA website. Centres are also subject to inspection by various other State agencies including for example Environmental Health Officers. The Reception and Integration Agency has implemented a number of policies in all centres dealing with such issues as child protection, sexual and gender based violence and a code of practice for persons working in accommodation centres.
