Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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The housing of people who arrive in Ireland seeking asylum is a matter for the Department of Justice and Equality who are obliged through EU and international laws to provide shelter and subsistence to anyone who claims asylum until their claim has been determined. Once their claim has been determined, those who obtain leave to remain in the State have the same rights to apply for social housing as all Irish citizens.

In 2019, my Department was represented on an Inter-Departmental Group on Direct Provision which was established by the Department of Justice and Equality to review the implementation of the State’s obligations under the EU Directive 2013/33/EU, European Union (recast) Receptions Conditions Directive, (the ‘Directive’) and to consider the Direct Provision services offered to applicants while their applications are being assessed.

In December 2019 theMinister for Justice and Equality announced the establishment of the Expert Group on the Provision of Support, including Accommodation, to Persons in the International Protection Process (AsylumSeekers), also known as the Advisory Group on Direct Provision. My Department was among those invited to meet with the Advisory Group during the course of their work this year and has provided submissions to the Advisory Group on issues of relevance to their work.

My Department, together with the City and County Manager's Association and local authorities, continues to work closely with the Department of Justice and Equality to ensure those who have leave to remain are assisted to move on from direct provision accommodation.