Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The Deputy is anticipating the outcome of the inquiry regarding the young women she mentioned. As she knows, an inquiry is under way and I am sure all of the facts and details of the case will come out. My Department is extremely sensitive to women who find themselves in that situation. There are procedures in place for how these requests are handled in my Department; requests are dealt with in a very humane and understanding way. As a report will be published on the case, I do not want to anticipate its findings.

The system of direct provision has meant that we have been able to fulfil our legal and moral obligations to meet the needs of persns arriving in the country seeking protection who cannot meet their basic needs. The needs of more than 51,000 people seeking asylum have been met since the system was introduced. I have no doubt that the working group which will report by Easter next year will make recommendations which will improve the experience of asylum seekers and which we can implement immediately. We are committed to improving the system in whatever way we can.

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