The Government is to publish a "comprehensive discussion document" on its treatment of asylum-seekers and refugees, Ms Liz O'Donnell, has announced. Ms O'Donnell yesterday promised a "comprehensive, integrated, compassionate and humane" response to the gamut of issues involving refugees. The publication of the document next month would be followed by short period of public consultation, probably of about two months, a spokesman confirmed last night.
The Department of Justice, which is preparing proposals to remove the automatic entitlement of asylum-seekers to welfare benefits, is believed to have agreed to the public consultation process. The Minister for Justice, Mr O'Donoghue, could not be contacted for comment last night. A statement from the Minister at the weekend made no reference to public consultations, referring only to "Government consideration" of matters relating to asylum-seekers.
Speaking at the launch of the Human Development Report, Ms O'Donnell said the response to refugees in the past had too often been "haphazard and chaotic".
A comprehensive package of measures was now being developed, to include:
new reception facilities for asylum-seekers;
health care and screening;
legal service;
transparent procedures;
anti-racism education;
language support and training for refugees;
access to state services;
programmes of family reunification;
assistance for refugee integration.
The two Ministers have previously differed on whether asylum-seekers should be allowed to work while their applications are being processed.
Yesterday, Ms O'Donnell restated her view that they should be allowed work, particularly if forced to wait lengthy periods. Mr O'Donoghue is opposed to this proposal.
Last week, Mr O'Donoghue presented to Cabinet a report based on a discussion paper published by the British Home Secretary, Mr Jack Straw, last July.
This proposes replacing cash payments to asylum-seekers to support in kind. Legislation is to be drawn up after the British period of consultation ends next month.
"Given that we maintain a common travel area with the UK which is of enormous value and relevance to the whole island of Ireland and Irish people generally, a decision of this character by the UK government has to be taken into account in a very serious way here," the Minister said at the weekend.
The Department believes a tightening of procedures in Britain will lead to greater numbers of asylum-seekers coming to Ireland.
The British proposals also provided for an "amnesty" which would give over 30,000 asylum-seekers the right to stay in the UK. To date, no similar proposals have been made by the Irish authorities.
