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

I understand that colleagues here have concerns about these announcements. This year, we expect 3,500 applications for asylum. Last year, there were 3,000.

Asylum seekers are offered places and nobody is herded anywhere. Asylum seekers are free to take up places or not, as they wish. They are offered accommodation, food, warmth, a shower, etc.

We also had the Mr. Justice McMahon report on conditions, which included 173 recommendations to improve the accommodation systems, 98% of which have been fully or partially implemented. The Ombudsman for Children and the Ombudsman also visit the centres, listen to the people living there and take complaints.

If anybody has a better way of doing this, let him or her please tell me what it is because I have not heard it to date. Asylum seekers are guaranteed a bed, a shower and food, tonight or when they come to Ireland in these accommodation centres. We do not want people on the streets. That is the alternative, unless the Deputies can come up with something better.

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