Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
261. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made since the formation of the Government to reform the whole system of treatment of asylum seekers, particularly with direct provision and the length of time it takes applicants to get a final determination on their applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37619/20]
View answerResponsibility for the provision of accommodation for applicants for International Protection transferred to my Department from the Department of Justice on 14 October, 2020. Oversight of the International Protection Office was not passed on to my Department. This particular office is still remained under the remit of my colleague the Minister for Justice. Queries in respect of processing of international protection applications is entirely a matter for Minister McEntee.
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the steps to achieving it.
My Department is currently developing the White Paper which I expect to publish by the end of the year. Consultations have taken place in this regard with relevant Government Departments, with the Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children and with the City and County Managers' Association.
In addition representatives of accommodation centre residents and civil society organisations with refugee policy/practice expertise and housing policy/practice expertise (including Approved Housing Bodies) are being consulted.
