Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Very well. It would be appropriate to communicate with the committee as whole on the ongoing process because other Deputies also have an interest in this.

On the issue of the reception conditions directive, other speakers have touched on it and I am under no illusion about it. As the Minister said, there has been some confusion regarding people presenting the interim solution as the long-term solution. I understand it is not the long-term solution. My concern is that the long-term solution would far too closely resemble the interim solution. Regarding the threshold being asked in terms of the interim solution, self-employment has been marginally better but of the number of people who have sought employment permits, I understand only two or three people have successfully done that. The threshold required would be very high for most Irish citizens; people born, raised and educated here would have difficulty reaching it. It cannot be the case that the long-term solution would resemble anything like that. I ask that it be addressed in as short a period as possible. The nine-month period is too long and there should be as minimal restrictions as possible.

The Irish Refugee Council raised the point that asylum seekers have had difficulty seeking readmission to direct provision centres in circumstances where they may have been living with a friend and so on. Obviously, they are not entitled to social housing. I understand the directive provides for a humanitarian basis, for a floor to avoid destitution - I believe that is the phrase referenced in it - requiring that asylum seekers would be entitled to readmission to direct provision centres. Is the Minister aware of this issue and does he intend to address it?