Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his honesty. We are looking for clarity and, most important, people living in direct provision are looking for clarity. We are discussing HIQA and integration, which are critical for people living in direct provision, but for people who have been living in direct provision centres for three to four years, or even ten years in the odd case, having a home after leaving the system and being able to participate in society is what they want.

There are people living in direct provision centres who are now expected to pay rent. Is there anything that the Department can do to stop this? They should not have to pay rent for something that previous Governments came up with, namely, direct provision centres. I would like to work with the Minister and people living in direct provision. If we cannot end the system in 2024, when can we and what will be put in place to protect people's human rights and equality? I was disheartened to see that €2 billion was drawn down in humanitarian funds specifically for Ukrainian refugees. While I welcome that it was for Ukrainian refugees, what about the black and brown refugees who also need humanitarian support? We have a great deal of work to do to show people seeking international protection that we care about them.

I appreciate the Minister's honesty and look forward to working with him and people living in direct provision centres to see when the system can be ended if it cannot be ended in 2024.