Dr. Liam Thornton:

I thank the Chairman and thank Senator Cummins for the question. There has been some progress. At one point, more than 8,000 people were in direct provision centres, while at present, slightly more than 4,000 people are in these centres. There were approximately 6,000 people in 2010, which has now fallen to 4,000. The main mechanism to ensure that people do not have a prolonged stay within direct provision centres is an excellent process to determine whether a person is entitled to refugee subsidiary protection or some other leave to remain. The Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, has been attempting to bring into force the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which hopefully will ensure that the time spent in direct provision centres will be as minimal as possible. Even allowing for that, there still are significant questions and concerns regarding the warehousing of individuals applying for protection within one centre for many months and years on end in circumstances in which family life cannot be enjoyed, where parents cannot determine what food their children will eat or at what time they will eat it and where children may not have school friends over. The key process needed is a reform to a more rights-based status determination process.

However, I believe this must be coupled with a system that respects the fundamental rights of asylum seekers. As to whether there is anything in place that can make reference to best practice, I refer to the European Union's recast reception conditions directive, which is not applicable on the State. It provides asylum seekers with a right to work, if a decision has not been reached in the first instance on an asylum decision, within six months. It also provides certain other rights that asylum seekers currently do not have in Ireland. I also welcome the Senator's comments on HIQA, if there is anything to those comments that I can add.