Direct Provision

Nasc is a founder member of the NGO Forum on Direct Provision, a network of organisations committed to campaigning for changes to protect the health and welfare of asylum-seekers housed in residential institutions here.

498. Deputy Patrick Nulty asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will confirm Ireland’s commitment to the universal right to seek and enjoy asylum as laid down in statutory international law; if he agrees that potential asylum seekers should not be denied passage to a country that has... Read more

211. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on a statement made by the outgoing Ombudsman, Emily O’Reilly, that Ireland’s treatment of asylum seekers may well be in breach of not just our own Constitution but also international human rights conventions;... Read more

1035. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health his views on the adequacy of mental health support services to direct provision residents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. 1036. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Health if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date... Read more

923. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date in 2013, of the number of persons who have been sexually assaulted while a resident in a direct provision centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter.  Minister... Read more

922. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a yearly breakdown, from 2003 to date in 2013, of the number of persons who have committed suicide while a resident in a direct provision centre here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice... Read more

910. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of new applicants who sought protection from the State to date in 2013; the breakdown of the nationality of those persons; the corresponding figure for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice... Read more

908. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons in the direct provision system for less than six months; between six and 12 months; in excess of one, two, three, four, five, six or seven years; the total cost to the Exchequer of the current system; the specific... Read more

906. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the serving members of the Refugee Appeals Tribunal and the date on which their terms expire. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): The details requested by the Deputy are as follows: Serving Tribunal Member... Read more

529. Deputy Robert Troy asked the Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton the total cost of restoring the payment of child benefit to the children of asylum seekers living in direct provision. Minister for Social Protection (Deputy Joan Burton): The Department does not hold information regarding the... Read more

184. Deputy Brendan Ryan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide a breakdown of the numbers of persons who have been granted leave to remain annually for the years 2008 to 2012, inclusive, and to date for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice... Read more

429. Deputy Derek Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality when and why the decision was taken for Ireland not to participate in the recast asylum procedures directive, which was successfully negotiated under his chairmanship; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice... Read more

223. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality in respect of the ten persons who were deported from Ireland to Kinshasa on 16 June, if he will detail the circumstances surrounding his decision to sanction the deportation of the persons in view of the fact that no deportations... Read more

190. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the average time it takes to process applications for subsidiary protection; the plans there are in place to improve the waiting times for these applications; and if he will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and... Read more

544. Deputy Nicky McFadden asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a review of the direct provision system for asylum seekers will take place in order to ensure that international human rights standards are adhered to; and if he will make a statement on the matter.   Minister for Justice and... Read more

Yesterday, residents of Drishane Castle, a direct provision accommodation centre located outside of Millstreet in North Cork, held a peaceful protest against the conditions at the centre. Residents are particularly concerned about the lack of open space and play areas for children, the quality of the... Read more

478. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on leave to remain for asylum seekers who have been in the system for a long time. 479. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the way he is dealing with the backlog of applications for asylum. Minister... Read more

477. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his views regarding the issue of asylum seekers and permission to work. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter): Section 9(4)(b) of the Refugee Act 1996 provides that applicants for international protection shall not... Read more

476. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the mental health care provided for asylum seekers and persons seeking leave to remain who are living in direct provision; and if data is collected regarding the number of persons with serious mental health problems in the direct provision... Read more

475. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will give further consideration to the true costs of the direct provision system for asylum seekers, including health care, social welfare and legal costs; and if the direct provision system is still cheaper than providing for... Read more

472. Deputy Maureen O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of persons granted protection or resettled here from the beginning of 2003 until the end of 2012 and for each year; if he will provide a breakdown of positive recommendations and overall decisions from, the Office... Read more