Ms Fiona Hurley:

I wish to build on Dr. Thornton's point on the cultural aspect. Partially the issue is because the Department of Justice and Equality controls all the aspects of the life of somebody in international protection, for better or worse. Its remit is to uphold the security of the State and engage in border control. That is its mindset rather than one based on human care or a compassionate approach.

With regard to moving the accommodation to the housing providers, there are many reasons why that is so important. Those coming through our clinics and talking to us are aware their accommodation is provided by the Department of Justice and Equality, the same body that is considering their asylum applications. No matter how many pieces of paper reassure them the two things are separate and that if they make a complaint about one, it will not have an impact on the other, they are not reassured. Having the Department in charge of all that is very problematic because there are so many areas of control.

Disbelief was mentioned. The Deputy quoted a document referring to Damascus. I have come across several visa letters with a similar response. In at least one of the cases, the person was not living in central Damascus, but in the suburbs. This is something we come across. Applications such as those Dr. Thornton talked about, for example, the application of someone in direct provision who wanted to move to be closer to family, are routinely refused. Again, this is because cases are being considered from an immigration and control point of view. Moving responsibility away from the Department of Justice and Equality to another provider would definitely be very helpful in shifting the culture.