David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I want to make one last point. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien said that we have more refugees coming into the system because thankfully we are taking in some of the Syrian refugees. The asylum process can be very slow. Is it the case that that is increasing the cost for direct provision and that if we put more resources into fast-tracking the applications, that would reduce the cost? If we are spending €51 million on people in reception centres - some of whom are living in these centres for years on end, out of sight, out of mind, which is not a good way to treat people - surely it would make sense to put more resources into faster processing of their claims, which would reduce the cost to the State. Would Ms McPhillips agree? Is this being examined?