David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As far as I know, we are still awaiting the report of the task force. I cannot comment on the report or pre-empt its findings until I receive it.

I am not aware of any person with children who is subject to a deportation order who has received a letter telling him or her to leave the country or reminding him or her that he or she should leave. My understanding is 23 letters were sent, all of them to single persons who will be helped to leave the country. They have been through every hoop and loop of which one could think and every appeals process possible.

They still have not proven their right to be here. Deputy O'Sullivan also mentioned people in direct provision who have status and leave to remain. I have met many NGOs and other groups and we are doing everything we can to get accommodation for the people in question. We want to help them move on with their lives. As I mentioned earlier, everybody who comes here looking for asylum is given a position straight away. Things are getting tight now, however, and I am getting worried about the coming winter. We currently have only 150 beds or so left, which is why it is imperative that we help people move on into accommodation. The letters they received can be used to show that they need to move on. Nobody is going to be forcibly removed from a direct provision centre. That will not happen unless there is a deportation order, in which case the people in question should be gone anyway. If they present themselves to us we will help them fly out of the country and return to where they want to go.

It is certainly not the case, as far as I know, that children are involved here. I would also be interested in any NGO group that might like to come forward to assist with this. I have met the groups and invited them to let me know and I look forward to working with them. People have said we should get rid of direct provision but I have yet to see anybody come forward with an alternative that will work. Somebody coming into Ireland today will have a bed tonight.

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