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

I welcome the publication of the report but do not agree with the Deputy's assessment of it. This is the first time that any Government has examined the direct provision system in 15 years. The Minister of State, Deputy Ó Ríordáin, and I set up the working group. All agencies working in this area were represented on it. It has made 173 recommendations. The report is broad and offers a roadmap for change in direct provision.

Like other European countries, Ireland is responding to the number of asylum seekers looking for protection. People who present must be accommodated. Some countries detain them while others provide hostels of various types and still others provide no accommodation at all. Ireland has a system of direct provision, which has been assessed by the working group.

Quite a number of recommendations can be implemented in the short term whereas others are medium-term or long-term recommendations. Some recommendations relate to persons who have been in the system for five years or longer and increasing the direct provision allowance. They are of a cross-cutting nature and require that I consult with Cabinet colleagues. Many have significant resource implications and impact on other programmes, such as social housing.

We must be cognisant of the changing environment in terms of asylum seekers. There has been a major increase in numbers. We have seen the situation in the Mediterranean. The numbers entering Ireland are set to double this year from 1,500 asylum seekers to 3,000. While that is starting at a lower base than we had previously, the Government must consider the matter in the round. My intention is to revert to the Government as soon as possible, having consulted with colleagues. We need a Cabinet discussion. The recommendations are cross-departmental in that they have implications for social welfare, housing and education. A number of my colleagues have commented on some of the recommendations and indicated a number of changes that they are prepared to make and on which they are working.

An excessive length of time is the key problem. No other Minister has dealt with it, but we have the heads of a Bill that will introduce a single procedure. That is what will make the difference.

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