Criticism of direct provision system for asylum seekers continues to grow

In classic Government understatement, a confidential document described Ireland’s direct provision system as “not ideal”.

The same document adds, however, that improving the system increases the risk of asylum seekers from the UK moving to the State for better conditions.

And so a scheme introduced in November 1999 with the expectation that asylum seekers would spend about six months in direct provision has deteriorated into an entrenched dysfunctional system where more than half the 4,360 people involved have been in this limbo state for more than four years, some for up to 14 years.

They receive bed and board in 34 direct provision centres with a weekly payment of €19.10 for each adult and €9.60 for children.

Asylum seekers are not permitted to work, are isolated from Irish society in general and many suffer depression as a consequence.

Many families sleep together in one room or share accommodation with other asylum seekers and have no cooking facilities.

Many of the more than 1,600 children in direct provision have grown up in the system, speak with Irish accents and have been educated in Ireland but remain in a stateless limbo.

Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan has criticised the system and its impact on children and the difficulties they face getting into third-level education.

The Council of Europe and the United Nations have been sharp in their criticisms about the duration of the system, and the UN Human Rights Committee also criticised it for not being conducive to family life and expressed concern about the absence of an independent complaints process.

Former Supreme Court judge Catherine McGuinness warned a future government could be apologising for the damage done by the system.

Asylum seekers have begun protesting against the system, and the relentless national and international focus on the system has brought a consensus that something must be done. But what to do?

Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has expressed her concerns about the system but she formally opposes allowing asylum seekers to work.

Minister of State Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, however, takes a different view. He said he was “staking his reputation” on reforming the system which he described as “inhumane”.

He warned, however, that no click of his fingers was going to end it immediately, but said “change can take place more rapidly than anyone has thought previously” through a working group review.

It met for the first time on Thursday, and will report in three months. Mr Ó Ríordáin hopes that under a reformed system decisions could be taken within a year, that the ban on working could be relaxed and child-friendly rules introduced.

He will have responsibility for amending and passing the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which fell with the last government.

In a Seanad debate Independent Senator Rónán Mullen called on the Government to allow people in direct provision for more than four years to be allowed to remain in the State and work.

Fianna Fáil’s Labhrás Ó Murchú said there was no difference in the story of Ireland and emigration and that of the asylum seekers in Ireland. “We still hear how Irish people were treated in the countries of their adoption and we should learn from that.”

It remains to be seen what lessons will be actually learnt and how quickly.