Dáil debates

Tuesday, 4 July 2023

Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions

Direct Provision System

10:30 pm

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

What does the word "shortly" mean? When will the review be completed and when will it be published? I welcome that the State-owned capacity is being increased and that 30 buildings have been acquired. I also welcome the independent monitoring by HIQA. I am less hopeful about the local authorities because my experience is that they lack staff. That is certainly the case with Galway County Council where there is a lack of resources. It constantly tells Deputies it does not have enough money. Galway City Council has similar problems. We have an acting manager. We had an acting manager in Galway County Council for nine years. I tremble when it comes to putting a weight on that.

There is a legal obligation to carry out vulnerability assessments. The figures are staggering. The Minister knows them much better than I do. What is really staggering is that of the 21,573 accommodated by international protection accommodation services, IPAS, as of 23 June, almost one quarter, 5,200, have status. I will stop on time and come back in.

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