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Asylum Seeker Accommodation

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 June 2012

Tuesday, 19 June 2012

Ceisteanna (401)

Anne Ferris

Ceist:

489 Deputy Anne Ferris asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to reform the direct provision system, if so, the way; if he has any intention of granting leave to remain to those in the asylum process for five or more years; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29644/12]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for the accommodation of asylum seekers through the policy of direct provision. For the most part, this represents a cashless system with the State assuming responsibility for providing suitable accommodation and certain other services on a full board basis. I am satisfied that the level of service and support provided to asylum seekers by the State through the direct provision structure caters for all needs. The direct provision system is an effective and cost efficient way to ensure that the State can meet its obligations towards asylum seekers. A Value For Money study published in May 2010 on the direct provision system found that while the system is expensive, the alternative system for accommodating asylum seekers via the private rented sector with welfare payments would be close to twice as expensive. In view of the very substantial additional expenditure that would be incurred in moving to an alternative system, I have no plans at present to change the current system.

My priority is to reform the asylum determination process to deal more speedily with asylum and protection claims thereby reducing the length of time asylum seekers spend in direct provision accommodation centres. As previously outlined to the House, I intend to re-introduce the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, 2010 later this year which will comprehensively reform and simplify the current refugee status determination process by the introduction of a single procedure system.

I have no plans to institute a system of granting leave to remain along the lines suggested by the Deputy. I should point out that at EU level, the Member States, in agreeing the European Pact on Immigration and Asylum at the European Council in October 2008, made specific commitments "to use only case-by-case regularisation, rather than generalised regularisation, under national law, for humanitarian or economic reasons". While the Pact is not legally binding, the political commitment among the Member States, then and now, is clearly against any form of process that would grant leave to remain to a group of migrants without first examining the merits of each individual case.

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