Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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64. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to introduce an independent complaints procedure for asylum seekers living in direct provision here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40428/16]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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My Department is in discussion with the Office of the Attorney General and the Offices of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children with a view to extending their remit to allow them to receive complaints from persons residing in State provided accommodation. The extension of the remit of these Offices will require legislative amendment and full and detailed consideration is being given to these amendments. The type of complaints that will be accepted will be those relating to the services provided to protection applicants in their State provided accommodation centre. Complaints relating to the international protection process itself will not fall within this arrangement.

I am optimistic that this process can be concluded speedily to allow residents in State provided accommodation access to the independent Offices of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children at the earliest opportunity.