State apology for refugees may be issued
Direct provision set-up to be replaced
THE Children’s Minister has refused to rule out a future State apology for direct provision residents as he admitted the system ‘didn’t meet basic human rights’.
Roderic O’Gorman made the comments yesterday as he unveiled the Government’s white paper to replace the centres with an international protection system by 2024.
Direct provision began as a supposedly temporary measure for asylum seekers entering the country more than 20 years ago, and has been heavily criticised by organisations including the UN, Amnesty International and the Council of Europe in that time.
Asked if he would consider a State apology, similar to those granted to survivors of institutions such as mother and baby homes and the Magdalene laundries, Mr O’Gorman said he was happy to engage with groups on the issue.
Under the new proposals, the
Government will adopt a two-phase approach. Phase one will see asylum seekers accommodated in one of six reception and integration centres, set to be built around the country, for four months. During this phase, the guiding principle will be to promote integration from day one.
Vulnerability assessments will be undertaken, English language training will be given and applicants will be linked to employment services.
Phase two will see applicants moved to community accommodation, described as ‘own door, self-contained houses or apartments for families to provide privacy, agency and independence’.
Mr O’Gorman has estimated the cost at €175 million per year, with the first-year costs coming in at €225million. Capital expenditure costs for the development of the new system and accommodation centres have been estimated at between €449million and €670million. He said: ‘In the context of the last 20 years, direct provision has cost the State over €1billion. And what do we have for all that money? We have no tangible assets in the system that everybody regards as not having delivered.
‘We have people who’ve gone through really, really difficult experiences. So, by investing this significant amount of capital spending, we will then have State assets which we can continue to use in the future as new.’
Under the current programme, asylum seekers are given a weekly allowance of just €38.80 for adults and €29.80 for children.
This is to be replaced with an international protection payment, in line with the supplementary social welfare payment, which starts at €112.70 for people aged 18 to 24, and €201 for adults 25 and older.
‘It will be paid from my department and it will enable people to live independently in the community,’ Mr O’Gorman said. ‘There will also be an international protection child payment as well, paid similarly to the child benefit rate.’
Mr O’Gorman said direct provision had ‘too often failed to meet and failed to respect the basic dignities of people coming here to Ireland, seeking protection’.
The system, ‘too often was hostile, too often resulted in isolation and it resulted in institutionalisation’.
He added: ‘We know that the Irish public are kind and compassionate, and as a people we want to extend a welcome, and we want to extend shelter to people coming here seeking protection from war and from violence.’ Mr O’Gorman said: ‘I’m very aware of the criticism of how direct provision has impacted on children in particular.’
He added: ‘As I say, I’m happy to give consideration to the State’s wider statements in terms of the system over the last 20 years.’
‘Really difficult experiences’