Ahern defends care of asylum-seekers

The Taoiseach has disputed the conclusions of a report by the Irish Refugee Council on the treatment of asylum-seekers and their children in hostels operated under the "direct provision" policy.

Government departments and agencies dealing with asylum-seekers rejected claims about asylum-seekers' children and social exclusion in the State, Mr Ahern said.

He added that the sample for the survey in the report Beyond the Pale was "very small" and that regular inspections of facilities were carried out.

Mr Ahern said Ireland had the "most liberal immigration policy in the entire world and that is something to be proud of".

He added: "We are spending £150 million and we will spend more next year. We will continue to provide resources for asylum-seekers.

"We should be proud of the liberal attitude taken by this country rather than be running around trying to highlight cases in order to show up a different position."

The Labour leader, Mr Ruair∅ Quinn, said the evidence in the report was "the direct result of a Government policy which the Taoiseach admired when he was in Australia", and he called for the Government to discontinue "this shameful system of treating human beings".

He also said many of the problems identified in the report "would be resolved if asylum-seekers were given the right to work and the consequent dignity that comes with that".

The report said expectant mothers living in hostels under direct provision where accommodation and food were provided were malnourished. Adults go hungry to feed their children on a small welfare allowance of £15 for adults and £7 for children, the report also stated.

Mr Ahern said the State spent more than £150 million on the provision of facilities. He added there were "safety nets" where for medical or social reasons asylum-seeks have been taken out of direct provision.