Wicklow direct provision centre
Deputies Casey and Murphy criticised the decision to lease the Grand Hotel in Wicklow town for direct provision, arguing it undermined local planning and transparency. They called for an end to the system, while Deputy Flanagan and others pressed for the issue to be handled by other parliamentary procedures.
On page 103 of the programme for Government, long duration in direct provision is acknowledged to have a negative impact on family life. As a result, we are committed to reforming the direct provision system, with particular focus on families and children. Given the recent announcement by the Department of Justice and Equality that it has leased the only hotel in Wicklow town, namely, the Grand Hotel, as a direct provision centre for up to 100 people, including families, how does that action form part of reforming the system? Equally, in the context of town and village renewal - dealt with in the section on urban renewal and tourism - the Government made announcements regarding Wicklow town in the context of enhancing the visitor experience, giving additional funding to Tidy Towns to reach gold medal status and providing LocalLink services to Wicklow and Glendalough.
Comment on this
Only two weeks ago, the Minister launched the tourism strategy for Wicklow and assigned a task force for the east coast greenway for Wicklow town. How does leasing the only hotel in Wicklow town for direct provision contribute to these strategies? People in Wicklow town have not been consulted on this. Where is the joined-up thinking?
Comment on this
Deputies Eugene Murphy and Brady have similar questions. Deputies should think of their colleagues, not me.
Comment on this
This was the reason I had my name down to speak. I raised the issue with the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Deputy Creed, when he was standing in for the Taoiseach last week. We have a similar position in the village of Rooskey, County Leitrim, which is only eight miles from my home. I want to repeat what I said last week. We know we have responsibilities to those people and that is not what I am questioning today. There is a veil of secrecy around how this matter is being dealt with and it is not good enough. We must end direct provision. It is simply not the way to do this. To be honest, I refer to the herding of these people into hotels, as is happening in Wicklow and Rooskey, as legalised people trafficking. That is what it is.
Comment on this
We have to tackle this issue. The way it is being dealt with by the Government is not good enough. I want answers and so do Deputy Casey and others.