Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

31. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the preparatory work that has taken place with respect to responsibility for direct provision transferring under his remit. [22370/20]

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Cén obair atá déanta ag Roinn an Aire chun freagracht as soláthar díreach a aistriú ón Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais? What preparatory work has taken place with respect to responsibility for direct provision being transferred to his Department?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Daly. My officials and I met the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Helen McEntee, and her officials early in the process to prepare for the transfer of functions to my Department, including those relating to direct provision. We have maintained regular contact on the matter since then. In addition, I have made contact with some officials who will be transferring from the Department of Justice and Equality to my Department for initial discussions on a range of equality matters, direct provision and the preparation of a White Paper on direct provision. Since my meeting with the Minister, Deputy McEntee, detailed discussions between officials of our two Departments have been continuing.

The entire process is underpinned by a set of guidelines that all Departments use when arranging for the transfer of functions. A good co-operative relationship has developed between my officials and those in the Department of Justice and Equality. We feel that all elements are progressing smoothly.

A great deal is transferring between the Departments, including substantial policy areas and, particularly in respect of direct provision, many operational matters. I want to ensure that the transfer takes place in an effective and timely manner. In order to achieve this, officials are examining the relevant functions, legislation, funding and staffing involved. It is important that all elements, particularly funding, follow. My intention is for this business to be concluded very shortly and for the transfer of functions order to be completed at that stage.

I very much look forward to taking on responsibility for a large range of areas in the equality sphere and in the area of direct provision and integration.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I congratulate the Minister. A lot of pressure was put on him and the Minister for Justice and Equality with regard to dealing with the situation in Cahersiveen. I understand the last few residents have now been transferred from that centre. The whole area of direct provision was, however, thrown into focus again recently in connection with the Covid outbreaks in Kildare. This will continue to happen as long as the State continues to use accommodation centres which are clearly not fit for purpose. The Minister said a White Paper is due.

There are also regulations which were approved of in August of last year and which, almost unbelievably, will not have legal force until January of next year. As such, there is much work to be done on it. The only way that work can be done is by it coming onto the Minister's table. I ask also what alternative accommodation will be provided.

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. I want to recognise his engagement with me on Cahersiveen. On the very day I became a Minister, he tracked me down and had a word in my ear about it. He was instrumental in helping to get a good outcome there. Colleagues like the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Foley, were engaging with me significantly on the issue as well and we did get a good outcome there. However the Deputy is absolutely right that Cahersiveen is one example of the wider failings of the direct provision process that have been brought to light in the context of Covid. What the Government is seeking to do is set out clearly in the programme for Government. We are going to end direct provision over the lifetime of this Government and replace it with a new method of accommodation for those in the international protection process, one which properly recognises their dignity but one which is not focused on private provision, which is one of the key issues with direct provision. I have been very clear that this is not going to happen swiftly. This will be a process and the White Paper that the Government will publish by the end of the year will set out how that process will work.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I am glad the Minister raised that side of the matter with regard to NGOs. Has he spoken to any NGO that might be involved in providing accommodation when the transfer is done? Has a date been identified for the transfer, as it is going to fall on the Minister's desk? As the Minister already has the Oireachtas report which was carried out over the last Dáil term, is there really any need for another White Paper when the regulations are already in place? Is that not going to confuse the issue and prolong it further?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I do not have a specific date but a matter of weeks is the timeframe which has been discussed with my officials. I very much hope that the transfer of function will have taken place by the end of this month. There is a need for a White Paper because it is an overarching issue and the solutions are across a wide range of issues. The programme for Government does not discuss the accommodation side of direct provision alone. It looks at the entire international protection process and how that might be speeded up, it looks at the conditions residents are living in, it looks at the provision of vulnerability assessments and it looks at the inspection, which is very relevant to the regulations on what direct provision accommodation should look like. It is an overarching element and all elements need to be looked at in the context of a new White Paper.

Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Did the Minister speak to the NGOs already?

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On the housing side of this issue, I have spoken to a number of housing NGOs. As it is not yet within my remit, I have not started engaging with the NGOs representing those within direct provision but I will do so as soon as I get those functions.

Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Ceann Comhairle)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Question No. 32 is from Deputy Sean Sherlock. We will move on to Question No. 33, to be introduced by Deputy Kathleen Funchion.