Mairéad Farrell
Ceist:899. Deputy Mairéad Farrell asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the estimated cost of dismantling direct provision; and if there is to be increased funding to her Department to this end. [16035/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 14 July 2020
Ceisteanna (899)
Freagraí scríofa
As confirmed in the Programme for Government, the Government is committed to ensuring that Ireland provides protection to those seeking refuge from conflict and persecution, as is required under international law. The Government is also committed to ending the Direct Provision system within the lifetime of the Government and to replacing it with a new international protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. Last year, Dr Catherine Day was asked to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. Any new system for the provision of accommodation and additional supports to international protection applicants will be informed by the Report of this Expert Group.
Responsibility for the accommodation system is transferring from my Department to the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, and officials from both Departments are making the necessary arrangements to facilitate the transfer of functions.
Where responsibility for a matter is transferred between Departments, in line with the Transfer of Functions Guidelines, the resources to implement that responsibility (including staff, pay, non-pay or programme spend) also transfer. The Guidelines state that further revised estimates, amended estimates or a supplementary estimate, as appropriate, will be prepared to take account of changes in function.
Once a plan to implement the commitment to end the use of the direct provision system of accommodation and other State supports in the Programme for Government is determined by Government, it will be possible for the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to cost the proposed alternative.
Question No. 900 answered with Question No. 889.