Derek Nolan (Galway West, Labour)
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403. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans for changing the direct-provision policy, with regard to asylum seekers here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15420/15]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is responsible for the provision of full board accommodation and certain ancillary services to asylum seekers in accordance with the Government policy of direct provision. There are currently approximately 4,400 asylum seekers in 34 centres around the State.

Last year, the Government set up an independent working group to report to it on improvements to the protection process, including direct provision and supports for asylum seekers. It is chaired by former High Court judge, Dr. Bryan McMahon, and comprises senior officials from all relevant Departments, the UNHCR, representatives of academia and various NGOs who have a long-standing interest in this area and other representatives of civil society. The working group developed a work programme early on and established three sub-groups to deal with the following themes. The first deals with conditions in centres, the second deals with supports for asylum seekers and the third deals with improving the processing of protection claims. Over 40 meetings at plenary and sub-group level have taken place since the first meeting of the working group on 11 November 2014.

The working group has taken evidence directly from residents in the direct provision system both in writing and orally, visited centres around the country and spoken directly to residents. It has engaged with particular groups of applicants including children, victims of torture, victims of trafficking and sexual violence, members of the LGBTI community and has taken oral and written submissions from a number of experts in this field, including the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission and the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection, Dr. Geoffrey Shannon. The Government recognises that the issues to be examined by the working group are complex and require thorough consideration to ensure that any recommendations are practical and sustainable from a budgetary perspective and do not undermine existing border controls and immigration policies.

The Chairman has indicated that the Working Group will be in a position to finalise its report before the end of May 2015after which the Government will then consider the recommendations made therein.