Direct provision children
Deputy Wallace highlighted the number of children under ten in direct provision and asked for special action before Christmas. The Tánaiste said the report’s recommendations were being implemented and that the International Protection Act coming into force on 1 January 2017 would help families move on.
I hope everyone has a good Christmas too.
Comment on this
We found out from a freedom of information request yesterday that 850 children under ten are in direct provision. Will the Government consider doing something a little special for them before Christmas?
Comment on this
We had a report on direct provision. What is really important for the families in direct provision is that the recommendations in that report are implemented, such as those on self-catering. Work is being done on that. More important, the big issue that was identified was the fact that families were spending long periods in direct provision. In the course of the past year, the cases of the vast majority of families who were in direct provision for a long period were dealt with. The International Protection Act will be in force from 1 January 2017 which will ensure families and children move very quickly through the process of determination on whether they are entitled to refugee status.