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Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 23 May 2018

Wednesday, 23 May 2018

Questions (43)

Mick Wallace

Question:

43. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on whether the system of direct provision here is in compliance with the European Convention on Human Rights and the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22700/18]

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Written answers

Direct Provision is the term used to describe the on arrival support system in Ireland whereby State services including accommodation, food, health and education are directly provided to international protection applicants through the relevant Government Department or Agency. It is a whole of government support system for those seeking international protection in Ireland, although the term tends to be used to describe Accommodation Centres that make up only a part of the overall system.

I appreciate the criticisms levelled at the system, which mainly relate to length of stay, but I do consider the system is relatively effective in meeting its primary objective of ensuring that those who come to our country seeking international protection have their rights vindicated and receive immediate food and shelter and have immediate access to our state services. It remains a fact that we do not know how many people will arrive on our shores seeking international protection on any given day but, because of the Direct Provision system, we know for certain that all applicants, are offered immediate shelter, full board accommodation and a range of services, such as healthcare and education while their applications for international protection are being processed. This fully meets our obligations under the Convention and the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

A number of improvements have been achieved in implementing the recommendations of the McMahon Report and the Government has looked to further consolidate those improvements and build upon them. For example, a major reform of the system is underway to provide independent living arrangements for those who wish to avail of them. A total of 1714 applicants now have these facilities available to them and this is expected to increase to 1880 in the months ahead. In addition, International Protection Applicants now have full access to the services of the Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Children to follow up on any issues of concern.

The system will be reformed further arising from the decision to opt into the (recast) EU Reception Conditions Directive. The requirement to ensure the system complies with EU norms is another welcome advancement, which I intend will be concluded by June of this year. These requirements will be subject to EU oversight and place our services on a common European standard.

I can assure the Deputy that the Government is absolutely committed to ensuring that the Direct Provision system or any other aspect of our asylum system meets international standards. I personally want to ensure that our system in Ireland reaches or indeed exceeds international standards and I am confident that the external oversight which we have opted into, arising from our participation in the EU Directive, will assure that our conditions continue to improve.

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