David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Last year Minister Flanagan and I asked Dr. Catherine Day to bring together an expert group with representation from asylum seekers and NGOs to examine best practice in other European States in the provision of services to international protection applicants, to examine likely longer term trends and to set out recommendations and solutions. The Group is examining both the reception system for accommodating applicants and the system for processing applications, and is expected to make recommendations for changes in both areas. A briefing paper on the work of the group, prepared by the Chairperson to inform programme for government talks, has been circulated to members of both Houses of the Oireachtas.

As the Deputy will be aware, the Briefing Note includes a list of measures, identified so far, which would immediately improve the situation of those currently in Direct Provision, and on which officials of the Department have been asked to prepare proposals for the incoming Government. The work of the group is advancing at pace and their report is expected by the end of September.

Minister Flanagan and I are happy that this Briefing Note signals far-reaching proposals and we were anxious to ensure that Dr. Day and her Group were free to make any recommendations they deemed appropriate based on an expert analysis.

Last year we also established a high level Interdepartmental Group chaired by a senior official of my Department, to ensure that all Departments are proactively delivering on their responsibilities. The Group is reviewing the management of services for applicants for international protection and considering the short-to-medium term options which could be implemented to improve the system. Its Report has been finalised and is ready to be submitted to a new Government.

The system of Direct Provision refers to the suite of State services and supports that are provided by a range of Government Departments and agencies to persons seeking international protection in the State. It includes provision of medical cards, an exemption from prescription charges, access to education for children, a weekly payment, access to Exceptional Needs Payments, when required, and, of course, ensuring that all basic needs are met, like accommodation and food.

It is important note that significant efforts have been made to reform the system in recent years. Mr. Justice Bryan McMahon, whose report in 2015 has been the basis for introducing improvements to the system, has himself noted that the system has improved considerably compared to what it was five years ago.

Significant improvements made to the system in recent years include access to the services of the Ombudsman and the Ombudsman for Children; agreed National Standards for accommodation providers; the introduction of labour market access; and the continued roll-out of self-catering facilities for residents (now available to more than half of all residents).

The new National Standards contain specific actions to improve the lives of children in accommodation centres. As well as the aforementioned access to the services of the Ombudsman for Children, they are also supported by the Child Protection Policies that we have put in place in the centres. In addition, there is a Tusla official seconded to my Department to work with our International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS). This ensures that any child protection issues are swiftly followed up and that the process for referrals is as streamlined as possible.

Currently, around 25% of residents (1,974 people) in the Direct Provision system have own door self-catered accommodation. While, at this time, all available accommodation of this type is fully utilised, families are prioritised when this type of accommodation becomes available.

It is to be noted that the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality, in its report on Direct Provision and the International Protection Application Process, published last December, found that there was no clear consensus from the Committee as to what alternatives could or ought to replace the current system. Their Report also acknowledged that any new system of reception and accommodation will need time to ensure the right system is put in place.

Finally, Minister Flanagan and I look forward to the completion of the work of Dr. Day’s expert group and the implementation of major changes, should the incoming Government accept the proposals.

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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I can inform the Deputy that there were 6,115 persons residing in Direct Provision accommodation as of 1 January 2019. The corresponding figure at 1 January 2020, was 7,683 persons. In 2019, the total figure for grants of status or permission to remain was 1,284. Between January and April of this year that total figure was 301 grants.

The table below shows the number of persons residing in accommodation as of 31 May 2020, by nationality. At that date, there were people from a total of 110 different nationalities residing in our accommodation. The figures include both international protection applicants and people who are no longer in the process, having already been granted an international protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection) or a permission to remain in the State. Currently, we continue to accommodate almost 1,000 such people. We are assisting these residents to transition to permanent mainstream accommodation, working closely with the City and County Managers Association, the Local Authorities and organisations like DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust and the Jesuit Refugee Service. People with status or permission to remain in the State have the same entitlement to housing supports and State services as everyone else.

No breakdown is provided for nationalities with less than 10 people due to the increased risk of their identification, which is prohibited under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015.

Nationality	Total
Afghanistan	178
Albania	558
Algeria	199
Angola	30
Bahrain	11
Bangladesh	189
Benin	11
Bolivia	35
Botswana	41
Brazil	20
Burundi	12
Cameroon	79
China (including Hong Kong)	12
Congo, The Democratic Republic of	310
Cote D’Ivoire	12
Egypt	29
El Salvador	22
Eritrea	15
Ethiopia	25
Georgia	655
Ghana	89
Guatemala	19
India	69
Iran (Islam Republic of)	37
Iraq	84
Israel	10
Jordan	14
Kenya	34
Kosovo/UNSCR 1244	34
Kuwait	15
Lesotho	11
Libyan Arab Jamahiriya	21
Malawi	228
Malaysia	16
Mauritius	36
Morocco	50
Nepal	13
Nigeria	987
Pakistan	509
Palestinian Territory, Occupied	56
Russian Federation	28
Sierra Leone	64
Somalia	199
South Africa	610
Sri Lanka	15
Sudan	49
Swaziland	29
Syrian Arab Republic	85
Tanzania, United Republic of	11
Togo	25
Uganda	46
Ukraine	26
Venezuela	17
Yemen	10
Zambia	13
Zimbabwe	1034
Others (54 countries)	159
Total	7,195

The procedures to be followed in the assessment of applications for international protection are set out in law under the provisions of the International Protection Act 2015. As such, there are certain steps that the International Protection Office (IPO) is required by law to follow in assessing every application. The IPO is constantly exploring all options that will lead to a more timely processing of such applications.

The IPO currently has an existing caseload of approximately 5,700 cases (at end April 2020) having received almost 4,800 applications in 2019. Applications have been increasing year on year since the IPO’s creation at the end of 2016, with applications up 30% approximately at the end of 2019 on the total received in 2018. However, it is acknowledged that the impacts of COVID-19 on travel to Ireland since March 2020 will somewhat distort that upward trend.

Efforts to improve processing times have been impacted upon by the current COVID-19 pandemic which has reduced the output of cases considerably. The IPO’s main focus going forward is to get its processing system functioning as effectively and efficiently as possible, while adhering to all measures in place to combat the spread of COVID-19.

It is recognised that no single solution will achieve faster processing times but rather a targeted suite of measures, including additional staffing resources. Options that are being explored include greater automation of the process including ICT improvements, revision of key documentation and the use of remote interviewing.

Historically, the majority of international protection interviews were conducted at the IPO in Dublin with applicants travelling from their accommodation to Dublin for interview. Early in 2019, the IPO commenced a pilot to conduct protection interviews in suitable locations. These locations were closer to applicant's accommodation and removed the challenge for applicants of having to travel sometimes considerable distances for interview. This pilot was successful and in November 2019 the IPO moved to the next stage - interviews by video conference (VC). The first VC interviews took place in the south and, in early 2020, were also successfully trialled in the north west. The successful trials suggest that interview by VC may be suitable for many, though not all applicants. The success of these trials will also factor into the IPO planning for the resumption of protection interviews in the context of COVID-19 restrictions.