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Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021

Wednesday, 27 January 2021

Questions (575, 576)

Holly Cairns

Question:

575. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth when the white paper on ending direct provision will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4502/21]

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Holly Cairns

Question:

576. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of implementing each of the recommendations of the report of the advisory group on the provision of support including accommodation to persons in the international protection process relevant to his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4503/21]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 575 and 576 together.

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. The recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support, including Accommodation, to Persons in the International Protection Process will inform the White Paper.

My Department is currently developing the White Paper, which will set out options, together with the recommended direction, for the new model of accommodation and services for International Protection applicants and the transitional processes needed to implement the model. Options for developing a not-for-profit approach are currently being examined in this regard.

A programme of consultations involving Government Departments and State bodies has taken place. The Ombudsman, the Ombudsman for Children, the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, and the City and County Managers' Association were some of the bodies included in these consultations. 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) have been consulted.

Good progress has been made on drafting the White Paper and work is now focusing on testing the accommodation proposals that will be contained in it. In view of the extent of change proposed, the White Paper will take some more time than originally envisaged and I now expect it will be published in the second week of February.

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