Parliamentary Questions

Deputy Thomas Pringle: I move: That Dáil Éirean:  notes: — 2014 marks the 14th year of the existence of the Direct Provision system in Ireland; — over 4,300 asylum seekers are currently residing in the 34 Direct Provision centres in the State, some of whom have been living in these centres for... Read more

129. Deputy Michael McGrath asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the approximate cost of ending the current system of direct provision and replacing it with accommodation in the community; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):... Read more

126. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the forthcoming Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill will make provision for the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality recommendations on prostitution; and if she will make a statement on the matter. 127. Deputy Billy... Read more

21. Deputy Jerry Buttimer asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if level 6 courses offered by institutes of technology qualify as eligible courses for participation in the student bond system for the purposes of obtaining a visa to study here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister... Read more

120. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the extent to which she remains satisfied regarding the quality and standard of accommodation available to refugee-asylum seekers through the direct provision system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for... Read more

101. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide in tabular form the length of time broken down by six month periods of the number of persons in direct provision; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances... Read more

99. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the cost of providing direct provision services in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and allocated for 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): The Reception and Integration... Read more

98. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the budget allocation to and staff numbers in the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy... Read more

94. Deputy Niall Collins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding visa requirements for citizens of the Russian Federation who are seeking to travel here; the number of Russian citizens currently resident here; if she has had any contact with her Russian counterpart since taking... Read more

92. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the number of applications approved to date under the Syrian humanitarian admissions programme; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): I am advised by the Irish... Read more

39. Deputy Joe Higgins asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will make immediate improvements to the living conditions and standards in direct provision hostels for those seeking asylum in the State; if she favours ending the system of direct provision; and if she will make a statement on... Read more

38. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she has received any Health Information and Quality Authority reports on investigations into conditions in direct provision centres; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy... Read more

34. Deputy Mick Wallace asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will review the prohibition on the right to work for asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Section 9(4)(b) of the Refugee Act 1996 provides... Read more

31.Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to detail the number of asylum seekers that have travelled outside the State for the purposes of termination of pregnancy in the years 2011, 2012, 2013 and to date in 2014; the process that is in place for such women to avail of the... Read more

30. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if her attention had been drawn to the case of the migrant rape victim known as Miss Y prior to addressing the United Nations Human Rights Committee in Geneva in July. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald):... Read more

22. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if and when it is planned to introduce legislation concerning prostitution, exploitation and trafficking as recommended by the Oireachtas justice committee in its report published last year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Minister... Read more

11. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will consider closing the 34 direct provision centres in the State and putting an end to the institutionalisation that is having such a detrimental effect on the lives of asylum seekers; and if she will make a statement... Read more

8. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the working group to review the direct provision system, including membership; when it is due to report; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Deputy Thomas Pringle: This question concerns the working... Read more

2. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn asked the Minister for Justice and Equality to set out her plans regarding the current direct provision system in view of concerns that it is archaic, inhumane and not fit-for-purpose; and if she will make a statement on the matter. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: There... Read more

316. Deputy Robert Dowds asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will provide an update on measures to address human trafficking, forced labour and the purchase of sex. Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Frances Fitzgerald): Over the past number of years strong legislative, administrative... Read more