The Minister for Equality, New Communities and Culture has said a review group to examine the direct provision system will hold its first meeting tomorrow morning.
Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the group could make rapid progress and will look at the issue of asylum seekers' right to work.
He said the group will address allowances paid to asylum seekers, the length of time they have to spend in the system and access to education.
It will report within three months and the Government will also introduce legislation by Easter that will speed up the asylum application process.
Mr Ó Ríordáin said again the current system is inhumane, even if that opinion conflicts with the views of others in Government.
He was responding to a motion from Independent Senators Ronan Mullen and Paul Bradford.
The motion called on the Government to establish female-only and family-only reception centres and to allow asylum seekers take up paid employment.
The senators also want people housed in direct provision for four years or more to be allowed remain in the State.
