Need for reform of direct provision ‘as urgent as it could be’

The need for reform of the State’s direct provision system is “as urgent as it could possibly be”, Minister of State for Equality, New Communities and Culture Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has said.

His comments follow the announcement yesterday of a working group, chaired by Mr Justice Bryan McMahon, to examine what improvements should be made to the system to improve processing times for asylum applications, which can take 10 years or more.

The group will also investigate “showing greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system”.

More than 4,000 asylum seekers live in the direct provision system, a form of temporary shelter set up 14 years ago in response to greater numbers seeking refugee status. Those in the system are given €19.10 a week while they await a decision on their asylum applications.

Speaking after a conference on equality in the workplace organised by the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Designate in Dublin Castle today, Mr Ó Ríordáin said he hopes the group will provide an interim report by Christmas, and a final report by Easter next year .

"I have never pretended to stand over the system, I have never wanted to defend it, I won't defend it, I can't defend it, and hopefully at the end of this working group's deliberations, they will recommend a system which will work better, which is better for society, better for the asylum seeking population in Ireland, and reflects better on us as a country," he said.

The group would “look at all issues around asylum”, including conditions in each of the centres, and the rights asylum seekers have to work, education and social welfare, he said.

“The issue around length of time is the overarching problem that we need to address, and then within that we can talk about all the other issues around the rights and entitlements that asylum seekers have, and how the system can work better to process people’s applications quicker,” he added.

According to the terms of reference for the working group, any recommendations must ensure that “the overall cost of the protection system to the taxpayer is reduced or remains within or close to current levels”.

Mr Ó Ríordáin said he was confident the cost of the system could be reduced by bringing down the number of people staying in direct provision, and the length of time they spend there.

Welcoming the establishment of the working group today, chief executive of the Irish Refugee Council Sue Conlan said the organisation would continue to call for an end to the current direct provision system.

“We will be advocating for an international protection system that Ireland can be proud of, one that meets the needs of and supports all the people who find themselves seeking protection in Ireland and therefore reduces both the human and the financial cost,” she said.

Reuben Hambakachere, a member of the working group who spent eight years in the direct provision system with his family, said the system must be more responsive to the needs of refugees.

“We also need to draw a line under the direct provision system and work towards an alternative that particularly has the best interests of children at its core,” he said.

“I believe this is the opportune time for those who have been voiceless to be finally heard and influence policy on matters affecting their day to day lives.