Clare Daly (Dublin Fingal, Independent)
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136. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons currently in direct provision for periods of three years and beyond; her plans to end this treatment of refugees and asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [25553/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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There were 1,093 persons residing in direct provision for three years or more at the end of August 2016. In order to interpret these figures correctly, it is important to note that they include a number of persons who had been granted status to remain in the State and are preparing to move into communities. In August there were approximately 550 persons with such status residing in direct provision, the majority of whom would be expected to fall into the three year plus cohort.

When a person makes an application for international protection, they are offered accommodation in the direct provision system. While there is no obligation on them to accept this offer, approximately 50% of applicants avail of the accommodation offered. They are not obliged to remain there and can leave direct provision and indeed return to direct provision as they so require. In addition, those who refuse the initial accommodation offer can choose to avail of direct provision accommodation at a later date.

The Programme for a Partnership Government contains a commitment to reform the Direct Provision system, with particular focus on families and children and to this end the recommendations of the Working Group are being implemented.

The International Protection Act 2015 responds to the Report's recommendations in relation to improving the application process and thereby reducing the length of time spent by applicants in State provided accommodation. The Act provides for the introduction of a single application procedure for international protection which is a key recommendation of the Report. The single procedure is specifically aimed at addressing the length of time persons spend in the protection process. The new procedure will significantly streamline and speed up the processing of protection applications and will reduce the length of time that persons spend in the Direct Provision system. Preparations for commencement of the single procedure are progressing.

The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department is progressing the implementation of recommendations around access to cooking facilities as well as increasing the living space for direct provision residents. Pilot projects are being undertaken in a number of centres to ensure the best approach to realising these objectives and ensuring greater respect and dignity for those residing in the direct provision system.