Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Mr. Tyndall stated that his office carried out visits before Covid. How many disclosed visits would the likes of the Ombudsman have made before Covid? Would it be more suitable for people in direct provision to be able to enter the labour market after three months, rather than six months as recommended in the White Paper? It is kind of disappointing that the recommendations to grant five-year leave to remain for people within the system for more than two years is only under consideration. That is not a sufficiently robust commitment as far as the committee is concerned. Many asylum seekers working in healthcare or the food industry, for example, are currently very anxious about facing deportation. There is a need for stronger commitments on the issue.

Is there significant consultation with local communities when centres are being set up and so on? Various issues have arisen in that regard. Would it be preferable to have more consultation with the local public before decisions are made? Are some existing facilities the subject of more complaints than other facilities? If so, why? Is Mr. Tyndall satisfied that measures are being taken to address that?