Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Very often when we have debates in this Chamber they concern issues that are significant on the public radar in economic terms. Given the day that it is in it there is much talk about the banking inquiry, the fiscal rectitude of the country and of policy makers, but very often we overlook the real issues affecting people who live within the State. Those who live in direct provision facilities should, under the Constitution, given the year that is in it, have exactly the same rights, opportunities and level of equality available to every other child or citizen within this country. We have accepted those people and we have provided them with a new opportunity but, unfortunately, that opportunity is very restricted.

I commend what Senator Mac Conghail said. I have not read all of the report but I read certain parts of it in preparation for today’s debate. The report is very detailed. I understand the chairman of the working group is present this afternoon. I agree that the working group has done the State and the asylum system some service. The report has identified all of the shortcomings in the direct provision service and looked at the 7,937 people in the system on 16 February 2015. Alarmingly, 55% of those people were in the system at that point in time for five years or more. That is unacceptable. Senator Mac Conghail has outlined the circumstances in which those individuals, children and their families have to live. Those of us who are lucky enough to have a home in this country take it for granted that those facilities are readily available but, unfortunately, we know from the homeless crisis and those in direct provision that some people are living in circumstances in which many of us would not like to find ourselves. The State has an obligation to intervene. The intervention that is being provided is not being provided quickly enough or effectively enough. Grave shortcomings have been identified in the report, which should act as a blueprint for the transitions that are required and ensure that the agencies that have not been fulfilling those responsibilities will take action.A number of those agencies have been referred to and are outlined in the Private Members' motion that has been brought before the Seanad this evening.

As this Seanad goes into its twilight era, as we go into the final weeks before a general election, and as we approach the centenary celebrations of 2016 we have to reflect on what is really important as a society. We have to decide whether it is more important to drive the economic recovery while allowing impoverished children, and others who are impoverished within our country, to stay in the position they are in. It is important to drive economic recovery and to share and reap the rewards that it brings. This country is a welfare state, as are most western democracies. We are no different. The welfare we provide in direct provision is not adequate and does not meet its purpose. One of the recommendations I read was on the issue of school children and the provision of an educational initiative for principals and boards of management to enlighten them on the impoverished circumstances in which such children find themselves. It should not have to happen yet it was one of the recommendations in the report. Those children should have the same opportunity as every other child within the State. We have taken them on board and given them a new life but that new life is not what it should be. The recommendations, as has been said by the sponsors of the Private Member's motion, have outlined it much better than I could. They are at the cutting edge and have done much work in this area over the last five years. I commend them for putting it forward this evening. It is unfortunate that there are not more Members present to debate this important issue which must be debated and must be taken on by Government.

There are roadblocks, which there will be in every Department, but unless the political will is there to challenge those roadblocks nothing will happen. I am not throwing a political charge at the Government on this issue because it is an issue that has been around for some time. It must be addressed urgently. It will be helpful if decisions can be made quickly before the election, through ministerial orders or otherwise. Some work has been done on making this contribution but it is not nearly enough, given the expensive living environment in which we find ourselves. My contribution is aimed at supporting the motion and I hope the Minister of State will have some enlightening words to say this evening.