Mags GarganNGOs tasked with identifying improvements to the direct provision system for asylum-seekers and refugees have said the “clock is ticking” on the Government’s time frame for the implementation of key recommendations.
The report by the Government-appointed working group was published on July 1 and among the key recommendations was a proposal to fast-track the granting of residency to those in the system for five years or more.
“We had an expectation that some of the recommendations would be implemented in the short term by the end of July, and that two or three would have immediate implementation,” said Eugene Quinn, National Director of the Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland (JRS).
Tanya Ward, CEO of Children’s Rights Alliance said direct provision is the “key human rights issue of today” and it was “deeply disappointing” that “absolutely critical” recommendations such as the increase in the weekly allowance were not implemented immediately.
However, the Government is awaiting feedback from all ministers on recommendations that affect their departments and a report from the ‘Transition Task Force’, under Junior Minister Aodhán Ó Ríordáin, is due by the end of September.
“JRS Ireland expects the minister will be in a position at that stage to immediately implement the recommended solution for people in the system for five years or more, which would benefit almost 1,500 persons and bring their long wait to an end,” said Mr Quinn.
“The clock is ticking as we move towards the general election, and if action is not taken soon it is unlikely in the run up to the election, so we are waiting to see what happens at the end of September.”
Stephen Ng’ang’a, coordinator of the Core Group of Asylum Seekers said that as all Government departments were represented in the working group and “we had consensus on the recommendations”, he hoped that “we will have some progress on implementation soon”.
The working group is tracking the Government’s progress on implementing its recommendations on the website www.timetoact.ie