Mr. Michael Kirrane:

The working group on direct provision produced a report which identified a number of recommendations, which are being examined by the Cabinet sub-committee on social policy. Specifically, a task force has been established, chaired by the Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin to examine the issue of transiting those who have been granted refugee or other status from the direct provision. It has been working over the past two months and will conclude its work in the next few weeks and report to the committee. We have examined the number of people in the system who need to transition out. Overall, a good proportion move within three months and the vast majority move within six months. There is a recognition that there is a need to provide more information and services to these people, and the task force is examining producing an information pack for people to help them to transition more quickly from direct provision. People move out relatively quickly.

The difference between this group and those who are in the direct provision system is that the intention is that they would be processed very quickly. Part of the difficulty with the direct provision system is that children are already established in schools or people have families, and moving to a different location where accommodation may be available is not always very easy. We often have to wait for summer or the end of the school term before families will move. A delay happens because people in direct provision are already established and have links to the community and, therefore, are seeking accommodation in those communities. With this group, on the basis that there will be quick processing of their cases, there is more flexibility in terms of matching accommodation to the families in a more efficient manner.