Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Cuirim fáilte roimh an Aire Stáit. Táim thar a bheith buíoch de as teacht isteach chun an cheist seo a fhreagairt. The Minister of State may be aware that I have raised the direct provision model on a number of occasions. This is an issue of major concern to me. It not appropriate for the long-term housing of refugees seeking asylum in the State. There are major issues concerning the treatment of people in these centres. The Irish Refugee Council has raised very serious issues about the treatment of children in these centres in its recent reports. When one hears the discourse on issues such as this locally or in the media, one gets a sense of the public perception that those seeking asylum are lucky to have a place to stay and are provided with meals. When refugees find they are stuck in the situation for years on end, it is very difficult for them. There is a significant human cost from the social and economic perspectives. People may be held in limbo for up to ten years. I have met and talked to some of these people.

When the Minister for Justice and Equality, Deputy Shatter, was in opposition, he and the then Labour Party members in opposition raised serious questions about the direct provision model, whether it was economic and if there was a more suitable method of housing people who are seeking asylum and fast-tracking asylum applications. I believe there is a will to try to move the process forward. What is the cost to the State of the direct provision model? There are urban myths that direct provision is a cheaper way to house people than allocating them community housing or providing them with a local authority house in cities and towns.

I am sure the Minister of State shares my concern that the direct provision model is a privatised system. We know it is being run by private companies on behalf of the State, with very little oversight. The main goal of these companies is to make a profit. There are questions as to how much of the State money that is paid per capita for persons in this direct provision accommodation is being spent on providing a top quality service?

That is the reason I am requesting a breakdown per capita of the cost of keeping somebody seeking asylum in the direct provision model. What payments do the State make to them? We are told that those living in direct provision accommodation are paid ¤19.10 per week to allow them to buy what they like. Are other payments made in addition to this weekly allowance? I look forward to hearing the response of the Minister of State, Deputy Alex White, and I thank him for coming to the Chamber.