Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
513. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the consultation report with children and young persons in the direct provision system that was published by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. [35838/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra514. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will make changes to the direct provision system to greatly improve the living conditions and welfare of asylum seekers and their children (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35839/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 513 and 514 together.
This report comprises the views of children living in State provided accommodation collated from five consultation sessions carried out with children from a wide range of centres in 2015. Many of the likes and dislikes expressed by the children were also identified and addressed in the recommendations of the McMahon Report. In implementing those recommendations we have taken the views of children as expressed in this report into account.
The International Protection Act 2015 introduced the single application procedure for international protection. This replaces the sequential processing system and is the single biggest reform in this area for the past twenty years. Since January 2017, all applications for international protection are being processed under the new single applications procedure. In responding to length of time issues, the Department, in addition to implementing the single procedure, proactively engaged in an examination of cases of those longest in the system. These cases have been expedited resulting in substantial numbers of people who were greater than five years in the system now dealt with. It is estimated that almost all of those identified in the Report as being over 5 years in the Direct Provision system and who do not have any impediments, such as ongoing judicial reviews, have now had their cases processed to completion.
A range of measures have been put in place to ensure that the principle of the best interests of the child can be effectively implemented from the single application procedure to living in centres. There is ongoing implementation of the child protection and welfare policy in all accommodation centres under the direct supervision of an officer seconded to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) from TUSLA. In addition to this, an officer seconded from the Department of Education and Skills to RIA oversees the enrolment of children in accommodation centres across the country as they link in with local schools. In addition, the remit of the Ombudsman for Children has been extended to include children in state provided accommodation centres.
My Department continues to work with Contractors at a number of centres (both State owned and commercial) to commence projects for independent living for residents. This is a follow on from the provision of this facility at Mosney and Ballyhaunis. This will include home cooking within the family accommodation units in some instances and access to communal cooking stations for residents in other instances. These projects allow adult family members to cook for themselves and their families rather than availing of the central catering services provided at the centres. These projects will be reviewed and refined with a view to their application across the entire accommodation portfolio where feasible. It should be noted that these projects can involve structural works and due regard needs to be taken of fire safety legislation and planning requirements.
The 2016 annual report from the Reception and Integration Agency of the Department contains a detailed listing of the on-site and off-site facilities available for children who are living in State provided accommodation. This report is available at http://www.ria.gov.ie/en/RIA/Pages/RIA_Annual_Report_2016 .
