Written Answers Nos. 548-567
548. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of Syrian refugees resettled here in 2016 and to date in 2017; the anticipated number to be settled during the last quarter of 2017; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38088/17]
View answer643. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of refugees to date in 2017 that have arrived here under the relocation and resettlement programmes, in tabular form; if the target of accepting 4,000 refugees by the end of 2017 will be reached; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38324/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 548 and 643 together.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State; approximately 2,622 through the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, 1,040 under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017) and the balance through a variety of mechanisms. The Deputy should also be aware the actual numbers eligible for relocation from Italy and Greece are much lower than those originally envisaged under the two Council Decisions of September 2015 (160,000 people). In its most recent publication on Relocation and Resettlement, published on 7 September, the European Commission estimates some 26,975 people eligible and registered for relocation in Italy and Greece have been relocated to other Member States to date, with approximately 4,700 people registered and still to be relocated from Greece.
The relevant instruments - the two Council relocation Decisions and the three separate Government decisions on programme refugees - envisaged an end-2017 timeframe for the bulk of the cohort. However, it is important to note that the Government commitment to accept 4,000 people was not time limited.
Ireland will deliver its full commitment on programme refugees. Primarily because the numbers anticipated in the Council Decisions, in terms of eligible nationalities, do not exist on the ground in either Greece or Italy as outlined above, Ireland, in common with the vast majority of other Member States, will not be in a position to relocate the anticipated numbers of asylum seekers. Despite the significant shortfall in persons available for relocation, Ireland will have fulfilled two out of its three commitments by year end. We will have doubled our resettlement commitment and fully met our commitments to Greece. Lack of co-operation in relation to security assessments by the Italian authorities has prevented any progress being made in relation to the small numbers registered in Italy.
Table 1 sets out the position regarding the assignment of the 4,000.
Table 1: Table of Total Numbers under Government Decision
|
Relocation Strand |
Numbers |
|
Council Decision 2015/1523 |
600 |
|
Council Decision 2015/1601 |
2,022 |
|
Total Relocation |
2,622 |
|
Resettlement Strand |
|
|
Government Decision 09/06/15 |
520 |
|
Government Decision 06/07/16 |
260 |
|
Government Decision 29/11/16 |
260 |
|
Total Resettlement |
1,040 |
|
Total Unaccompanied Minors Calais (Government Decision 10/11/16) |
200 (up to) |
|
Mechanism as yet undecided |
138 |
|
Grand Total |
4000 |
In summary, as of 7 September 2017, the current numbers of persons that have arrived under both the programme refugee resettlement strand and the relocated asylum seeker strands of the programme are set out in Table 2 and Table 3 respectively:
Table 2: Resettled Programme Refugees
|
Year |
People |
Adults |
Minors |
Age 0-4 |
Age 5-12 |
Age 13-17 |
|
2015 |
163 |
73 |
90 |
32 |
46 |
12 |
|
2016 |
356 |
167 |
189 |
53 |
101 |
35 |
|
2017 |
266 |
119 |
147 |
51 |
83 |
13 |
|
Total |
785 |
359 |
426 |
136 |
230 |
60 |
As regards the programme refugee strand of the IRPP, Ireland had taken in 519 of the original commitment of 520 by the end of 2016, a year ahead of schedule. Last year the Government doubled its commitment under resettlement to 1,040 and the number of persons who have arrived from Lebanon under refugee resettlement now stands at 785. A balance of about 270 refugees in Lebanon have been selected, assessed under the programme refugee resettlement strand and will arrive later this year, or early next year, contingent on a range of factors including processing capacity by overseas partners and available space in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) in Ireland.
Table 3: Relocated Asylum Seekers
|
Year |
People |
Adults |
Minors |
Age 0-4 |
Age 5-12 |
Age 13-17 |
|
2016 |
240 |
132 |
108 |
42 |
45 |
21 |
|
2017 |
284 |
171 |
113 |
45 |
50 |
18 |
|
Total |
524 |
303 |
221 |
87 |
95 |
39 |
In terms of the relocation aspect of the IRPP, allocations under the relevant EU Council Decisions are composed of three elements:
- an intake from Greece of 1,089 asylum seekers
- an intake from Italy of 623 asylum seekers and
- an allocation of 910 asylum seekers which has not been assigned by the European Commission to either Italy or Greece.
Ireland will meet in full its commitment to Greece. 524 of the allocation of 1,089 are already in the State and a further 489 have been assessed and are awaiting transportation. Sufficient missions to fill any quota remaining under this strand of the Programme will be scheduled with the Greek authorities. However, Italy, unlike Greece, will not permit security assessments to be undertaken by other States on its territory. Accordingly, Ireland has been unable to undertake security assessments in Italy of the cohort eligible for relocation to Ireland. It has therefore not been possible for Ireland to take asylum seekers from Italy. However, efforts remain ongoing to try to resolve this impasse.
In terms of the unallocated portion contained in the two EU Council Decisions referred to above, which in the case of Ireland amounts to approximately 910 persons, Ireland cannot access this component until a proposal is made by the Commission to allocate these numbers as between Greece and Italy in line with the Council Decision. Given that the numbers anticipated by the two Council Decisions (160,000) do not actually exist on the ground in either Italy or Greece, in terms of eligible nationalities (in Greece this is overwhelmingly Syrian and in Italy, Eritrean), it is highly unlikely that this element of the Council Decision can be implemented by any Member State.
Ireland is doing everything it can to give effect to the EU relocation Decisions but as can be seen from the above information these Decisions are unlikely to yield the anticipated numbers for reasons entirely outside of Ireland’s control. In the areas where Ireland has been able to implement its resettlement programme - Lebanon, in the case of programme refugees; and Greece, in the case of relocated asylum seekers - Ireland has been able to meet and surpass its full obligations.
I can inform the Deputy that if, despite all Ireland's efforts, the relocation mechanism does not permit Ireland to take in the number of asylum seekers foreseen under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, then the Government commitment to take in 4,000 people remains and Ireland will take in these numbers through other mechanisms. Officials are currently undertaking a full review of the IRPP with a view to establishing how best Ireland’s remaining obligations might be met and through what channels. When this review is complete appropriate decisions can then be taken. Decisions taken at EU level with regard to the ongoing migration crisis will of course impact on any such deliberations.
549. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the status of an application for right of way by a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38268/17]
View answerI can inform the Deputy that under the Registration of Deeds and Title Act 2006, the Property Registration Authority (PRA) was established as and from 4 November 2006. The PRA replaces the Registrar of Deeds and Titles as the registering authority in relation to property registration in Ireland and, subject to the above Act, is independent in the performance of its functions.
The Deputy will be aware of the service to Deputies and Senators which provides information on the current status of applications, such as the subject of this question, which was introduced in May 2006. The service provides a speedier, more efficient and more cost effective alternative to submitting Parliamentary Questions. It is operated by the PRA and is available all year round.
I can further inform the Deputy that his query has been forwarded to the PRA for attention and direct reply via the above mentioned service.
550. Deputy Jan O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the registration of English language schools which cater for students outside the European Union; the way in which a new school can register in the meantime; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36801/17]
View answerStudent migration and international education has contributed to Irish society, both culturally and economically, over many years. Its importance has been recognised in successive Programmes for Government and is underscored in Ireland's International Education Strategies, the most recent of which was published in October 2016. Ireland's strong reputation in international education, including English language education, has been built up over a very long period through the close cooperation of key Government Departments, including my own Department, and the wider sector. My Department is strongly committed to delivering all the reforms agreed by Government and jointly announced with the Department of Education and Skills.
One such reform was the Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) introduced in 2015. The ILEP is intended as a temporary measure, while a more comprehensive quality assurance framework, the International Education Mark, is being put in place by my colleague the Minister for Education and Skills. The ILEP lists those programmes, offered by both public and private educational providers, which are eligible for an immigration permission as an international student. The ILEP is only open to those offering English language programmes (of 25 weeks or more duration) and higher education programmes of at least 60 ECTS (leading to a recognised award by an Irish awarding body). All educational providers are prohibited from recruiting non-EEA international students to programmes which are not listed on the ILEP.
The temporary standards being applied by my Department are intended to ensure that non-EEA students receive a high-quality education. These standards are clearly set out in comprehensive guidelines published on the website of the Irish Immigration and Naturalisation Service (http://www.inis.gov.ie/en/INIS/Pages/Students) and have been agreed jointly by officials from my Department and the Department of Education and Skills. That Department has responsibility for the quality related aspects of international education, while my Department has responsibility for immigration related aspects. Both Departments regularly review the ILEP criteria to ensure they remain fit for purpose, particularly, in view of the extended lifespan of the ILEP. Officials of both Departments meet in committee to determine the eligibility of new programmes and providers to be listed on the ILEP.
The ILEP is periodically open for applications to list new programmes and this process and the requirements as regards supporting documentation etc. are all clearly set out in the published criteria. Completed applications will be assessed to ensure they meet all the requirements for listing, including an examination of the features of the programme and the provider’s capacity and bona fides. Unsuccessful applications will be given an opportunity to appeal the decision of the joint Departmental committee. Any appeal is heard by more senior officials who will consider any new information provided in this context.
551. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason there has been no training of detectives in the Dublin metropolitan region Garda stations for the past nine years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36812/17]
View answer552. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason a competition for the appointment of detectives in the Dublin metropolitan region Garda stations was advised in 2015 and subsequently cancelled; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36813/17]
View answer553. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason most of the personnel in the detective unit in the Dublin metropolitan region Garda stations are detective aides and have not received sufficient training in criminal investigations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36814/17]
View answer554. Deputy Darragh O'Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who are attached to detective units in the Dublin metropolitan region Garda stations by detective gardaí and detective aids; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36815/17]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 551 to 554, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy will appreciate, it is the Garda Commissioner who is responsible for carrying on and managing and controlling generally the administration and business of An Garda Síochána, including by arranging for the training of its members and civilian staff and I, as Minister, have no direct role in the matter.
I have requested the specific information sought by the Deputy from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to him on receipt of same.
A referred reply was forwarded to the Deputy under Standing Order 42A.
555. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of abolishing the system of direct provision allowing asylum seekers the right to work; and the estimated cost of providing them with full access to all social protection benefits, as necessary. [36837/17]
View answerThe Supreme Court in the matter of N.V.H v. The Minister for Justice and Equality, delivered in May of this year its judgment on the right of access to the labour market for those seeking international protection in Ireland.
Clearly, this is an important judgment and its potential implications, which also extend to other Government Departments, are being examined carefully. The Court itself recognises the complexities around this issue in that it acknowledges the Executive function in not only controlling who should enter the State but also to regulate the activities of non-citizens while in the State and has had to consider the distinctions of rights between citizens and non-citizens in the context of Article 40.1 of the Constitution. The Court has concluded that in an international protection system with no temporal limit on the decision making process, an absolute prohibition on the right to work is contrary to the right to seek employment under the Constitution. The Court recognises that this a matter for the Executive and Legislature to consider and accordingly has adjourned consideration of the Order the Court should make for a period of six months. The State will make submissions to the Court in relation to the format of the Order at the appropriate time. In the interim, the legal status as regards access to the labour market for international protection applicants remains unchanged, as set out in Section 16(3)(b) of the International Protection Act.
A whole of Government approach has been adopted to examine the implications of the judgment and to propose appropriate solutions as quickly as possible. With the approval of Government, I have established an Inter-Departmental Taskforce to undertake this work. As part of their deliberations, the Taskforce is examining the implications that granting access to the labour market will have on those applicants who have accepted the offer of Direct Provision and for those who have chosen to remain outside the Direct Provision system with regard to other State services. The Taskforce is also examining the cost implications for the implementation of any proposed solutions including impacts on welfare, housing, education and training, health care, etc.
In many EU Member States, the right to work is not an unfettered right for applicants, often arising after a particular period of time, usually 9 months to a year. In many instances access may be limited to particular job categories or may lead to the withdrawal of other financial supports. All of these matters are being carefully considered by the Taskforce as to their impact and to reflect the existing requirements placed on other Third Country Nationals who come to Ireland as lawful economic migrants. The Taskforce will report back to Government shortly, once it has completed its deliberations.
556. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36877/17]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they recently received representations from the Deputy which included correspondence from the persons concerned. This is currently being considered and INIS will be writing out to the persons concerned shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
557. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36878/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the persons concerned were notified, by letters dated 14 August 2017, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why they should not have a Deportation Order made against them.
The position in the State of the persons concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
558. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36879/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, as advised in responses to previous PQs, it would appear that the person concerned entered the State as a visitor in June 2007 and has remained in the State since then without the appropriate permission. I am informed that correspondence has issued to the person in question requesting further information.
This person should be aware that it is unlawful for them, under the Immigration Act 2004, to reside in the State without permission from the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person found guilty of such an offence is liable, under section 13 of the Immigration Act 2004, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. As the person in question does not have immigration permission to remain in the State, they are not entitled to work.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
559. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of persons (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36880/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that notifications have issued to the persons concerned pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended).
All representations received, together with all other information and documentation on file, will be fully considered, under Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation, in advance of a final decision being made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
560. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36881/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that, in response to a notification pursuant to the provisions of Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) the person concerned has not submitted written representations.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of 3(6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. If any representations are submitted, they will be considered before a final decision is made.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
561. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36882/17]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Deputy was advised in replies to his previous parliamentary questions dated 27 September 2016 and 09 May 2017, that the person concerned registered as a student in the State on 10 March 2014 and that their permission expired on 2 March 2015.
It appears that this person has been unlawfully in the State since March 2015. A non-national may not be in the State other than with the terms of any permission given to them by the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person who contravenes this requirement may have committed an offence and if found guilty is liable, under section 13 of the Immigration Act of 2004, to a fine not exceeding €3,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both. As this person does not have current immigration permission they are not entitled to work in the State.
As previously advised, the person concerned should present themselves at their local Immigration Office without delay.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
562. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36883/17]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the Deputy was advised - in replies to previous Parliamentary Questions dated 22 June 2017, 9 May 2017, and 27 September 2016 - that no application for immigration permission has been received from the person concerned.
From the limited information provided, it appears that the person concerned may never have had permission to remain in the State, and they should be aware that under Section 5 of the Immigration Act 2004 it is unlawful for a non-national to be in the State other than in accordance with the terms of any permission given by the Minister for Justice and Equality. A person who contravenes such a requirement may have committed an offence and if found guilty is liable, under section 13 of the Immigration Act 2004 to a fine not exceeding 3,000 euro or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
As previously advised, the person concerned should present themselves at their local Immigration Office without delay.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
563. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding residency status, including eligibility for naturalisation, in the case of a person (details supplied). [36884/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that in accordance with Section 3 of the Immigration Act 1999, the person concerned was notified, by letter dated 14 July 2017, that the Minister proposed to make a Deportation Order in respect of them. They were given the options, to be exercised within 15 working days, of leaving the State voluntarily, of consenting to the making of a Deportation Order or of making representations to the Minister setting out the reasons why they should not have a Deportation Order made against them.
The position in the State of the person concerned will now be decided by reference to the provisions of Section 3 (6) of the Immigration Act 1999 (as amended) and all other applicable legislation. All representations submitted will be considered before a final decision is made.
The Deputy should note that as the person concerned has no current right of residency in the State, they would not be in a position to meet the lawful residency criteria applicable to persons applying to my Department for a Certificate of Naturalisation.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
564. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36885/17]
View answerI am advised by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that the person concerned applied for a right of residency, accompanied by a right to work, based on their parentage of an Irish citizen child.
I understand that INIS has been in ongoing correspondence with the person concerned and that documentation was received from them as recently as 23 August 2017. I understand, however, that further documentation is required and the person concerned will be contacted, in writing, shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
565. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the residency status in the case of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36886/17]
View answerI have been informed by the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) of my Department that they are currently considering this case and will be writing out to the person concerned very shortly.
Queries in relation to the status of individual immigration cases may be made directly to the INIS of my Department by e-mail using the Oireachtas Mail facility which has been specifically established for this purpose. This service enables up to date information on such cases to be obtained without the need to seek information by way of the Parliamentary Questions process. The Deputy may consider using the e-mail service except in cases where the response from the INIS is, in the Deputy’s view, inadequate or too long awaited.
566. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the rationale behind the regime of direct provision of refugees here. [36936/17]
View answerThe need to establish a comprehensive system for the provision of accommodation and related services arose from the increasing number of asylum seekers arriving into the State in 1999. Prior to this, asylum seekers were treated as homeless under the structures then in place.
These proved unsuited to the situation facing Ireland in 1999 and subsequent years, when the number of asylum seekers arriving in Ireland increased dramatically. A total of 7,724 asylum applications were received in 1999 and a further 10,938 in the following year. Of these, most presented themselves in Dublin. The homeless service of the then Eastern Health Board could not cope and there was a serious prospect of widespread homelessness among asylum seekers.
In response to this serious and unprecedented challenge, the then Minister for Justice, John O'Donoghue T.D., chaired a cross-departmental group to examine the issue. From this, the Directorate for Asylum Support Services (DASS), under the aegis of the then Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, was established in November 1999 to co-ordinate the scheme of dispersal and direct provision for asylum seekers. DASS was subsequently replaced by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) on 2 April, 2001. The government policy of dispersal to locations outside the capital was also decided on in order to alleviate the burden on State service providers in Dublin and surrounding areas and to spread the burden of education, medical and other services across the State, as far as practicable.
It is a common misconception that 'direct provision' relates only to the Department of Justice and Equality. The Government has made a conscious decision that asylum seekers would access services, such as health and education, through the existing mainstream services. This also implied that the Government would not introduce separate, parallel services specifically for asylum seekers. It is for this reason that such mainstream services are not, in the main, provided in centres, unless the Department concerned has deemed it more appropriate to do so. For example, the Department of Social Protection provides CWO services and the HSE provides GP services in Mosney as the number of residents there (approx 800 persons) make this a more efficient option. In general, the guiding principle is that those in the protection process are provided with whichever services they are entitled to on the same basis as the indigenous population and through the same systems.
Currently, without the existence of accommodation centres for protection applicants, it is likely that such responsibility would revert back to the homeless services, now provided by local authorities, as there is no other mechanism to cater for this group. It is also likely that the homeless services in the Dublin local authorities and surrounding areas would come under disproportionate pressure from applicants.
The system of supports for those in the protection process was included in a major review carried out in 2014 by Judge Bryan McMahon. The majority of recommendations in that report have been and are being implemented and details of the progress are available on the website of the Department.
The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Partnership Government states: "Long durations in direct provision are acknowledged to have a negative impact on family life. We are therefore committed to reforming the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children." Together with the recommendations of the McMahon report, the implementation of the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015 are making a real difference to the overall system of direct provision in Ireland.
567. Deputy John Lahart asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons who have been processed through direct provision since its inception; and the number who have been refused the right to remain since its inception. [36937/17]
View answerThe system of Direct Provision was established in 2000 when the then health boards, which were responsible for homeless people, found themselves unable to cope with a large number of individuals who were claiming asylum in Ireland.
The Direct Provision system is a whole of Government system which delivers a wide range of services to those seeking international protection in Ireland. Accommodation and related services are organised by my Department through a series of 32 accommodation centres across the country, which are under contract to the Department.
A key aspect of the Direct Provision system is that State services are provided to those in the protection process in the same manner as they are provided to Irish citizens and those legally entitled to reside here. There is no separate education system, no separate health service, no separate social protection service.
From 2000 to the end of 2016, 76,839 people applied for asylum in Ireland. It should be noted that a significant number of applicants choose not to accept the offer of full-board accommodation and choose to self support themselves or live with colleagues, family members or friends in communities across the country, as they are entitled to do. Since its inception in 2000 to the end of July 2017, 58,680 people had availed of the State accommodation system for those seeking international protection in Ireland.
Overall, from 2001 to the end of this June, the Ministerial Decisions Unit of my Department issued 50,563 asylum refusal decisions. During the same period, 10,197 asylum grant decisions were issued. In addition, a number of those applicants who were not granted asylum may have been granted subsidiary protection or leave to remain subsequent to their initial application. A breakdown of decisions between those residing in Direct Provision and outside of the system is not available.
