by Kathy Masterson
LIMERICK-based migrant rights organisation Doras Luimní has criticised the recent Government Working Group report on direct provision, saying that it lacks vision and ambition.
According to Doras Luimní director Leonie Kerins, the Group never considered an alternative to the direct provision system, which places asylum seekers in hostel accommodation while their refugee applications are being processed.
“The proposals outlined in the Working Group, if fully implemented without further delay, are to be welcomed as a first-step in the right direction. If implemented fully, there is no doubt that these reforms will have a positive impact on the lives of many individuals who have experienced extraordinary challenges while accommodated in Direct Provision centres across the country.
“However, the non-committal language used throughout the report and the lack of an implementation timeframe and start date are cause for concern,” said Ms Kerins.
She added that it was regrettable that the Working Group failed to take “a more ambitious, committed and visionary approach to the reform process”.
“In addition, these proposals will do very little to address the fundamental flaws at the core of the Direct Provision system. The institutionalisation of thousands of men, women and children is set to continue: accommodated in centres, mostly privately contracted to business people who profit generously at the expense of the asylum-seeking population.
“While the recommendation regarding residents who have been in the system for five years or more is to be welcomed, thousands of asylum seekers will not benefit from this measure and will continue to live in institutions that have repeatedly proven to be unfit for purpose,” continued Ms Kerins.
Doras Luimní says it will continue to advocate for an end to the direct provision system to allow asylum seekers to live independently in the community and end “institutionalised living in centres that have repeatedly proven to be unfit for purpose”.
The organisation is also calling on the Government to commit to implementing the proposals contained in the Working Group report “fully with immediate effect”.
Among the recommendations included in the report are proposals to fast-track residency status for asylum seekers who have been living under direct provision for five years or more.
It also suggests that any new applicants who do not get a decision within nine months should be permitted to work, and that the direct provision allowance should be increased from €19.10 per adult per week and €9.60 per child per week to €38.74 and €29.80 respectively.
