Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Tá go leor caint faoi dhaoine sa chóras ag baint mí-leas as daoine bochta leochailleacha. There is much talk about people in the system exploiting vulnerable people. I agree with those statements in regard to the farming community and certainly their help is needed. Another example of that, which we have raised on a number of occasions, is the direct provision system. There are still approximately 6,000 people in 43 hostels across the country. One third of those in direct provision are children and many of the families are in the system for more than five years. It is important to note that in the past ten years 53 people died in direct provision, a quarter of whom were under five years of age. It is a privatised system. People who are running for-profit centres are profiting on the backs of other people's difficulties. On a positive note I remind Members that we have called for a debate on the issue and ask the Deputy Leader when it may take place.

An unusual presentation is taking place today, next door to the Kildare Street Hotel, in Comhdháil Náisiúnta na Gaeilge, where a full scale model of a direct provision room, made by Doras Luimní, shows where people are asked to stay in a direct provision centre. A presentation is also being made by the Irish Refugee Council, AkiDwA and Doras Luimní. I call on all Senators to go there between now and 4 p.m. and get the information. I ask the Deputy Leader to outline when the debate promised to Senator Jillian van Turnhout and me will take place.