Results 21-40 of 83 for "direct provision" speaker:Charles Flanagan

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (20 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...incitement to hatred legislation with a view to bringing forward amendments in the context of hate crime legislation early next year.  A new Anti-Racism Committee will also shortly be established, with a mandate to examine what needs to be done by public sector bodies as well as the wider community to challenge racism. In relation to direct provision, the reception system for...

Provision of Accommodation and Ancillary Services to Applicants for International Protection: Statements (13 Nov 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...that there is no obligation to accept the offer and there is no restriction on an applicant's freedom of movement within the State. Some Deputies will remember the context of the introduction of direct provision 20 years ago this month. The then Government opted to move from a system of allowances whereby applicants essentially fended for themselves with financial help from the State...

Financial Resolutions 2019 - Financial Resolution No. 9: General (Resumed) (9 Oct 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ... by into the future. I am pleased that for 2020 it is possible to provide increased funding of more than €700,000 for LGBTI+ initiatives. This funding will support implementation of the LGBTI+ strategy that the Government plans to publish shortly. I am also pleased that funding has been maintained for the various subheads within programme D of the Vote - An Equal and Inclusive...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (18 Sep 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...to 2005 are not available. The Immigration Service of my Department have advised that there is no means of interrogating the system to determine whether applicants were, at the time of application, residents within the direct provision system or if they had previously been in accommodation provided by the Department. The Deputy may be aware, in this regard, that two of the five years...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: .... I am advised by INIS that, based on the returned declaration forms received to date, a total of 1,267 applicants have indicated they have commenced employment or self-employment, of which 896 are living in Direct Provision.  As the employer or applicant has 21 days from the time they take up employment or self-employment to return the declaration...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision Data (11 Jul 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...by the INIS that, based on the returned declaration forms received to date, a total of 1,267 applicants have indicated they have commenced employment or self-employment, of which 896 are living in Direct Provision.  As the employer or applicant has 21 days from the time they take up employment or self-employment to return the declaration form, there is likely...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2019
Vote 20 - An Garda Síochána (Further Revised)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Further Revised)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Further Revised)
Vote 24 - Justice and Equality (Further Revised)
Vote 25 - Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (Further Revised)
Vote 41 - Policing Authority (Further Revised) (10 Apr 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...and we are working to ensure applications will be processed as speedily and as effectively as possible. Members of this committee are more aware than most of the challenges encountered in the direct provision system. I do not have a significant menu of options, but it appears that the long-term future of Hatch Hall is in question, having regard to a likely change of use. That will...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: Such attacks on potential centres for direct provision are abhorrent and condemned by all right-thinking members of society. I do not have the specific information requested by the Deputy. However, these issues are the subject of Garda investigations and it is following certain lines of inquiry. The provision of security in these areas is, in the main, the responsibility of the owners...

Ceisteanna - Questions (Resumed) - Ceisteanna Eile - Other Questions: Direct Provision System (12 Mar 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...in the particular case in question due contact was made. In all circumstances, every effort must be made to ensure standards do not lapse in these centres. I acknowledge the challenge of direct provision and the combination for those seeking international protection and asylum seekers. The Department is again seeking expressions of interest to ensure we have appropriate centres at...

Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Restoration of Birthright Citizenship) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Jan 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...her and her party colleagues as well as with other Deputies on these issues. I want to respond in the first instance to comments made by Deputy Barry, who is no longer in the Chamber. He described direct provision as a "racist policy". I say to him and to the House, that is just plain wrong. It is offensive-----

Irish Nationality and Citizenship (Restoration of Birthright Citizenship) Bill 2017: Second Stage [Private Members] (17 Jan 2019)

Charles Flanagan: ...obligation to accept the offer of accommodation and some applicants do not take up the offer at all. There is no restriction on the freedom of movement of applicants throughout this State. Indeed, direct provision was introduced to deal with a situation whereby asylum seekers were effectively homeless and had no shelter or protection. Those calling for it to end have offered nothing by...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: Deputy Ó Laoghaire referred to the distance of the direct provision centres from the capital city, and having regard to the fact that from time to time business should be transacted in a way that is sensitive to the needs of the persons, I am sympathetic to the point that the Deputy has made. It is an issue that has been taken up by my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Stanton....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I want to admit that it is a challenge. Of course, I have to say being in a direct provision centre is not compulsory. Nobody is forced to stay in one.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: ...concerned. The Reception and Integration Agency will shortly advertise again for appropriate accommodation which will be required to be of a certain standard. There are in excess of 600 people in direct provision accommodation who have granted permission to remain in the State and who, in the normal course of events, might think of leaving it but who are are choosing not to do so....

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I reject the language used by the Deputy. He used the word "hovel" in describing conditions in of some of the centres. While I readily admit that the model of direct provision is not ideal, I do not have an immediate suite of alternatives. What I can say is that there are minimum standards in the provision of accommodation and facilities in reception centres for applicants. They most...

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: I am not sure of any units that have been specifically built to accommodate persons in direct provision. With respect to hotel accommodation both of recent origin and of longer standing, there are certain minimum standards that have been incorporated and are being monitored by many of the agencies involved, all of which keep in very close contact with agencies under my Department.

Select Committee on Justice and Equality: Estimates for Public Services 2018
Vote 20 - Garda Síochána (Supplementary)
Vote 21 - Prisons (Supplementary)
Vote 22 - Courts Service (Supplementary)
Vote 24 - Department of Justice and Equality (Supplementary) (29 Nov 2018)

Charles Flanagan: ..., often with local public representatives. Every effort is made to ensure comforts and basic requirements of those seeking international protection are fully met. However, entry into the direct provision system, while not ideal in many circumstances, is not compulsory.

Other Questions: Asylum Seeker Employment (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: ...role he plays. I am keen to ensure a first instance decision at an early date. If it can be earlier than nine months, all the better. The Deputy has referred to persons who have been in the direct provision system for a number of years. The vast majority are persons who continue to appeal decisions already made. I acknowledge the importance under our law of people, as is their...

Ceisteanna - Questions - Priority Questions: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: The import of the Deputy's question, in short, is why do we have this system of direct provision and are there any plans to replace or abandon this system. Quite clearly the direct provision system encompasses a range of State services, including food, accommodation, health and education directly provided to international protection applicants through all of the relevant Departments and...

Written Answers — Department of Justice and Equality: Direct Provision System (5 Jul 2018)

Charles Flanagan: ...education and accommodation provisions, the system is now on a statutory basis, based on European norms and subject to independent inspection. As a result of these wide ranging reform measures, the current system of Direct Provision is simply not recognisable from that which existed a few short years ago.    In addition, a standards committee for...