Jim O'Callaghan
Ceist:568. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice when the White Paper on direction provision will be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [23626/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraTuesday, 15 September 2020
Ceisteanna (568)
Freagraí scríofa
The Programme for Government contains a commitment to end the current system of Direct Provision within the lifetime of the Government and to replace 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, which is expected to be delivered shortly and will be submitted to Government thereafter.
The intention is to publish a White Paper by the end of this year, informed by the recommendations of the Expert Group, which will set out how a replacement to the Direct Provision system will be structured and the steps to achieving it. It will be a matter for the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration to progress the matter and to make any decisions around future accommodation provision following the transfer of this function to his Department.