Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 5 July 2018
54. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps he will take to end the system of direct provision in view of the increased access to the labour market for those seeking asylum here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29664/18]
View answerOn 27 June last the Government announced that we had successfully opted in to the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive. This is a major reform. In effect, when coupled with the programme of reform we have undertaken in recent years, it fundamentally alters the 'direct provision' system as we know it or as it has been described.
As a Government we sought to address the various issues and established the McMahon group and have implemented its proposals. The International Protection Act was introduced which replaced the multi-layered application process down to a single application procedure which will bring certainty to applicants at a much earlier stage. Now, we have introduced measure which will enable applicants in the system without a first instance decision for nine months or more, to access the labour force under a broad and generous permission which will allow them to provide for themselves and live independently. Arising from the opt-in to the Directive, which encompasses a wide range of measures including relating to health, education and accommodation provisions, the system is now on a statutory basis, based on European norms and subject to independent inspection. As a result of these wide ranging reform measures, the current system of Direct Provision is simply not recognisable from that which existed a few short years ago.
In addition, a standards committee for the accommodation centres has been introduced and a cooking programme has been rolled out in many centres with over 1,500 residents now having access to independent cooking facilities. Residents also have access to the Ombudsman and Ombudsman for Children and a new free appeals process is introduced for issues relating to reception conditions. This is real and radical change.
People who arrive in Ireland are immediately offered shelter, food, support services free healthcare and free education for children. There are no circumstances where the Government can consider ending such a system of humanitarian aid for vulnerable people. The debate on this issue has failed to produce a viable alternative in over a decade.
No one is under any obligation to accept these immediate services though many must arising from their means. Approximately one in four of those currently who apply for protection succeed at first instance. The remainder of persons in the Accommodation centres are those who have received a negative first instance decision and have decided to appeal that decision. They are, as they are entitled to, availing of our appeals systems including the free legal advice and representation services which are the cornerstone of our protection process. Others in the Centres have a Deportation Order issued against them and are obliged to remove themselves from the State with a further cohort having received status. The significant increase in resources both for the International Protection Office and for the International Protection Appeals Tribunal will also assist length of stay in the Centres by reducing processing times.
The Government has approved a broad and generous access to the labour market for qualified applicants amongst a number of other important reforms in a range of areas covered by the Directive including reception conditions for applicants, improved identification of vulnerability and children’s rights. These measures are a further significant measure to deliver on the policy pursued in recent years to significantly reform our protection process.
Effective access to the labour market will help to alleviate social and economic exclusion for applicants and avoid long-term dependency on the State. Asylum seekers will have access to additional means to provide for themselves and their families outside of the State’s directly provided services and supports while their application is being determined. Moreover, Ireland is one of the few EU Member States to allow eligible asylum seekers to also engage in self-employment.
With our accommodation centres being put on a statutory basis, an applicant with sufficient earnings may choose to secure their own accommodation in the future. For those who will be granted protection, this will of course assist their early integration into our society and communities. For those who are found not to have a protection need, it provides an opportunity to receive an income, which will help them in their reintegration to their home country to rebuild their lives there.
