Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

More than 1,000 people in direct provision centres across this State will receive their Christmas bonuses this week - I say that with tongue in cheek to some degree. It will amount to €16.23 for adults and €13.26 for children.

3 o’clock

Given that adults only receive €19.10 per week and children receive €15.60 per week, it is clear that all of these families will have what one could only call a very poor Christmas. The Government is responsible for a system of detention that guarantees poverty for asylum seekers. The McMahon report recommended increases in payments for children and the opportunity to work for adults while their cases are being assessed. When will these recommendations be implemented? Of the 4,301 people in direct provision centres at present, 614 are in direct provision for more than five years. It is a scandalous situation and absolutely unacceptable. In the most recent review of progress in implementing the McMahon report, the Government admits that 82 of the 173 recommendations have only been partially implemented or have seen no progress. When does the Taoiseach expect the outstanding recommendations to be implemented and can he update the House on the status of the immigration and residency reform Bill?

Finally, the key recommendation of the working group was the introduction of a single application procedure in the protection process. The International Protection Act 2015 provides for such a procedure. Can the Taoiseach indicate when he expects the commencement of the International Protection Act?

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