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IRC said the programme for government commitment to end direct provision "is very clear"

Acceleration needed in direct provision wind down - IRC

The Chief Executive Officer of the Irish Refugee Council has said a balance of "ambition and pragmatism" is needed to accelerate efforts to wind down the direct provision system in the lifetime of this government.

Ireland • 23 Nov 20

A vulnerability assessment must take place within 30 working days of a person indicating they want asylum (File pic)

Lack of asylum vulnerability assessments criticised

The Department of Children is still in talks with the HSE about undertaking "formal vulnerability assessments" of those applying for international protection or asylum here, two years after it became a legal requirement.

Ireland • 19 Nov 20

The Advisory Group lead by Dr Catherine Day said a permanent system needs to be established

System to replace Direct Provision by 2023 recommended

The Expert Advisory Group, which has reviewed the Direct Provision process, has recommended that a new permanent system be established no later than mid-2023.

Direct Provision • 21 Oct 20

The group is organising fundraising events with funds going towards the purchase of laptops and technical work

Charities seek laptops for Direct Provision residents

Efforts are under way to raise €35,000 to pay for 900 laptops to give people in Direct Provision access to education at a time when Covid-19 has rendered remote learning the norm.

Regional • 14 Oct 20

Roderic O'Gorman said he was even more surprised to hear of a potential for Level 5 restrictions on Sunday evening

Minister 'surprised' NPHET didn't move earlier on virus

Minister for Children Roderic O'Gorman has said he was a "little bit surprised" there was no recommendation for further country-wide restrictions from NPHET after its meeting on Thursday of last week given the rise in the number of cases of Covid-19.

Your Politics • 08 Oct 20

There are around 7,700 people in Direct Provision, and 418 of them took part in the survey

Half of DP residents feel unsafe amid pandemic - survey

A new survey of people living in Direct Provision has found that just over half of respondents said they did not feel safe where they are living during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus • 08 Aug 20

The Eyre Powell direct provision centre is in Newbridge

Concern over virus clusters at direct provision centres

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) and the Irish Refugee Council have again raised concerns about residents of direct provision centres sharing living spaces, following reports of more than two dozen cases of Covid-19 at one centre linked to a cluster at a Kildare factory.

Ireland • 02 Aug 20

Residents are demanding to be moved to other direct provision centres

Cahersiveen direct provision residents on hunger strike

Around 30 residents of a controversial direct provision centre at Cahersiveen in Co Kerry, say they have begun refusing food, describing their living conditions as inhumane.

Ireland • 28 Jul 20

The Ombudsman for Children has described the findings as 'quite stark'

Children in Direct Provision face racism - report

Children who are living in Direct Provision are experiencing a lack of privacy and space in their accommodation as well as discrimination and racism in the community.

Ireland • 07 Jul 20

Charlie Flanagan said there were too many people in direct provision 'for too long a time'

Transformation of direct provision needed - Flanagan

The Minister for Justice has said a "root and branch transformation" had to take place in relation to the system of direct provision.

Ireland • 07 Jun 20

Changes to conditions for asylum seekers identified

The Chair of the Expert Group on Direct Provision, Dr Catherine Day, wants the right to work for asylum seekers to be extended, for alternative housing models to house those seeking protection to be explored, and for compulsory training for those who run direct provision centres.

Ireland • 05 Jun 20

Minister Flanagan paid tribute to the frontline workers

Garda powers were to protect public health - Flanagan

Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan has said that the temporary powers given to An Garda Síochána were necessary and in the interests of the protection of public health.

Coronavirus • 13 May 20

Figures from the Department of Justice show there are 5,680 applications for refugee status

Granting of refugee status delayed due to Covid-19

The International Protection Office, which is responsible for recommending whether an asylum seeker should be granted refugee status, has stopped issuing recommendations due to the impact of Covid-19 restrictions, RTÉ News has learned.

Ireland • 08 May 20

The Department of Justice said non-family members sharing a room are considered to be a household during the Covid-19 crisis

Concern over numbers sharing rooms in direct provision

Figures obtained by RTÉ News show there are 1,700 people in direct provision who are sharing a bedroom with one or two non-family members.

Coronavirus • 05 May 20

Mosney Direct Provision centre in Co Meath

Ombudsman concerned over direct provision accommodation

The Ombudsman has expressed concern over the unsuitability of accommodation in the direct provision system.

Ireland • 23 Apr 20

Olympians help Direct Provision with virtual workouts

Irish Olympians, asylum seekers and refugees are coming together virtually, every week, to exercise after a new project led by Irish Olympic rower Claire Lambe.

Coronavirus • 16 Apr 20

Olga and Sophie are among 15 other women making 6,000 masks for those living in direct provision

Initiative sees women sewing masks for those in DP

A group of 15 women living in six direct provision centres in Co Cork have set about the task of making 6,000 masks for the close to 2,000 people living in direct provision in the county, as part of the Sanctuary Masks Initiative

Ireland • 09 Apr 20

Direct provision centres are to dedicate self-isolation rooms over risk due to Covid-19

Govt orders DP centres to dedicate self-isolation rooms

Direct Provision and Emergency Accommodation Centres have been directed by the Department of Justice to generate dedicated self-isolation rooms in response to Covid-19.

Ireland • 24 Mar 20

Two asylum seekers are reported to have tested positive for Covid-19 in two separate direct provision centres

Plans for self-isolation facility for asylum seekers

The Department of Justice has said that together with the HSE it will "pilot an off-site self-isolation facility" for asylum seekers suspected of having Covid-19, who are living in direct provision or emergency accommodation centres.

Ireland • 23 Mar 20

The Department said yesterday said the direct provision centre would open next month at the Marian Hostel

Meeting to address concerns over DP centre in Tullamore

The Department of Justice is to meet officials of Tullamore town municipal authority and elected representatives in the area tomorrow, to address concerns over a move to provide accommodation for 168 asylum seekers at a building there.

Leinster • 19 Feb 20

The department says that the premises was offered following a public procurement competition for the midlands region

New direct provision centre to open in Tullamore

A new direct provision centre is to open next month at the former Marian Hostel in Tullamore, Co Offaly.

Leinster • 19 Feb 20

An Oireachtas Committee on Justice and Equality said the current system of direct provision is flawed

Stanton says Direct Provision system 'transformed'

Minister of State at the Department of Justice David Stanton has said the Direct Provision system has been "radically transformed" over the past five years.

Ireland • 12 Dec 19

Paediatricians say Direct Provision facilities have a hugely negative impact on a child's wellbeing that may impact on mental health in adulthood

Paediatricians call for end to Direct Provision

Paediatricians say almost 1,800 children were living in Direct Provision last year and more than one-in-five applications for international protection were made by minors.

Ireland • 11 Dec 19

Mosney residents attend quilt-making classes

Making Direct Provision work in the community

Last week the Irish Government began two days of testimony at the United Nations, where it was questioned about its compliance with its UN obligations.

Ireland • 09 Dec 19

A report by the Dáil's Public Accounts Committee says the system to move those who have been granted asylum into permanent housing is not adequate

700 living in Direct Provision despite legal status

There are more than 700 people living in Direct Provision centres who have already been granted legal status to live in Ireland.

Politics • 26 Nov 19