Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House and thank him for the work he is doing in this area. One of the big issues we need to approach is the question of the time delay in the processing of applications. Some 21% of those currently in direct provision are there for seven years or longer, while 13.1% are there for six to seven years and 10.6% are there for five to six years. Quite a number of people, therefore, are in the system for more than five years. That is a huge problem, especially in the case of young people. If they are in direct provision and the decision is made that they can no longer stay in Ireland, going back to their own jurisdiction is a huge battle from their point of view, because how can young people adjust in that system to going back into the country their parents are from?

I encountered a case, not long ago, where a person from South Africa who had gone through the end of primary school and the entire five years of secondary school was informed he could no longer remain in Ireland and had to return to South Africa. That was a huge change for that person because technically he grew up in this country and that is another reason to seek change. One issue that the working group is looking at is processing applications in a more expeditious manner and whether judicial reviews can be processed faster. In fairness to the courts system, a lot has been done in this area but seven years still sounds an extraordinary long period to be in a system without a final decision being made.

It is important that we convey accurate information to the public. When Cork Institute of Technology surveyed students, only 2.5% of them were aware that an allowance of €9.60 was paid per child and only 30% were aware an adult asylum seeker received an allowance of €19 per week. These statistics show there is a lack of information among the public. We must give people the facts about the 4,500 asylum seekers because misinformation is quoted in the media from time to time. In fairness, there has been balanced reporting but some people have stated incorrect information from time to time. It is important to convey the correct information to people.

I note that the working group is looking at whether financial support for asylum seekers should be reviewed. The current payment rates have been in existence for a number of years. The working group is also looking at the important aspect of expediting the procedures for dealing with applications and ensuring final decisions are made at a far earlier date.

What happens when the decision is made that a person cannot remain in the State? What support is given to people to help them return to their own country? Are they helped to prepare for a move when their asylum application fails? I am not sure whether enough is done in that area. The matter should be examined by the working group. People fear returning home even when there is no evidence of danger. When people go home, especially young returnees, they must adapt to the cultural change. We must look at this matter and take on board the idea of preparing people.

In 2015, 1,456 people applied for asylum for the first time. Mediterranean countries have had a huge influx of people from non-EU countries. Does the Minister of State foresee an increase in the number of people coming here over the next two to three years? Has the number of asylum seekers stabilised? Is there an indication that the situation may change?

I thank the Minister of State for the work that he has done and I wish him well. Once the working group makes its proposals I know he will be fully committed to implementing its recommendations.