Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The operation of the direct provision system has been virtually unchanged for 20 years. It is run by civil servants in the Department of Justice and Equality who impose a top-down approach. I propose that this should be reversed and that a bottom-up approach be taken instead. Many non-governmental organisations and community organisations would be willing to assist the Department in devising a more humane and acceptable method of dealing with those who seek asylum. When a direct provision centre opened in Lisdoonvarna, County Clare, 18 months ago, there were similar protests to those that have occurred in recent weeks. That centre has settled in and is now very successful. It is supported by the local community. The people in the centre are integrating into Lisdoonvarna. Many of them are working in Lisdoonvarna. The recent placement of 24 male asylum seekers in emergency accommodation in Milltown Malbay has not been as satisfactory a situation as the Lisdoonvarna case. They have been put in a commercial hotel with no facilities for them. Nevertheless, there is a welcome for asylum seekers in County Clare and there is an opportunity for them to be supported.

I have detected a change in the past 18 months. People's attitudes seem to have hardened. I propose to the Minister of State that a forum on asylum seeker accommodation should be established comprising people on the ground, representatives of non-governmental organisations, local authorities, the Irish Refugee Council, advocacy groups and community organisations and other people with an interest and expertise in this area. I ask the Minister of State to consider this proposal seriously. I know from my engagement with him in the case of Lisdoonvarna that he is open to new ideas. If we engage with communities and take a bottom-up approach rather than a top-down approach, there will be much greater acceptance of asylum seekers in small towns and small villages where there is a surplus of accommodation which could easily be brought up to a suitable standard. I suggest that asylum seekers could rotate through such locations as they achieve their status or otherwise. The expertise that is needed is available. The challenge for the Minister of State is whether he can deliver on it.

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