Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I direct my first question to Ms Buckley. The direct provision system is what I consider to be an inhumane and difficult system in which people must survive. Ms Buckley mentioned that she will be back in terms of some regular business and try to process applications for citizenship. If we are on a downward trend for Covid-19, and hopefully we are, there are fears of a second wave and a flu outbreak in the winter. Have Ms Buckley or any senior officials in her Department considered a fast-tracking approach for citizenship or a citizenship amnesty for asylum seekers in this period? Such a scheme would empower asylum seekers to move into the community, access payments, access the housing assistance payment, to make their way and contribute to Irish life and not spend another winter living in direct provision.