Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The reduction in expenditure is due to a reduction in numbers who require direct provision accommodation. As I have said on other occasions, the direct provision system provides a roof over the heads of those seeking asylum or those who have been refused asylum and make other applications for leave to remain in the country. As my predecessors discovered, in the context of the expenditure involved, it is the most economical way of providing for those who are effectively in the country illegally but who are seeking permission to stay for a variety of reasons. I personally do not regard it as the most ideal system and wish there was a better one. In the current economic climate I do not see the current direct provision arrangements changing, but I am anxious to ensure the best possible standards are maintained for individuals in direct provision accommodation and also for their children. For the time being, however, I see the system continuing.

I hope that when we are finally able to both publish and enact the immigration and asylum legislation that has now been under preparation for a substantial period of time, it will provide us with a system that will facilitate, in all but very exceptional cases, applications from those who seek asylum in this country, leave to remain or other permission to remain, all being dealt with in one application, and that will result in appeals being dealt with appropriately and promptly. Ultimately, my objective is to put in place a system under which an individual who comes to our borders to claim asylum can, except in exceptionally difficult circumstances, have that application determined within six months of making it. That will reduce the need for direct provision accommodation and create a situation where, on the one hand, individuals who are here unlawfully and have no entitlement to remain will either leave voluntarily or be deported within six months of making the application and, on the other, where people who are properly seeking asylum are granted it, are not kept in direct provision accommodation for lengthy periods of time and can get on with their lives in the wider community. However, I cannot move to that system until the new legislation is enacted.