Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Independent)
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655. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding a matter (details supplied) in relation to asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34137/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The recently published Statement of Government priorities 2014-2016 includes the commitment to introduce a separate Protection Bill to establish a single application procedure for the investigation of all grounds for protection. This reform will simplify and streamline existing arrangements and provide applicants with a final decision on their protection application in a more straight forward and timely fashion and will also, as a consequence, reduce the length of time that applicants spend in the direct provision system. It is intended to have the new legislation published and enacted by April 2015.

The Government has also committed to establish an independent Working Group to report to Government on improvements with the protection process and supports for asylum seekers. The working group will be established in the near future and it is expected that it will report to Government by year end.