The Ombudsman has welcomed the continued rollout of self-catering independent living across the network of centres; access to employment for residents; and the publication of agreed National Standards for Accommodation Centres.
The standards were prepared with input from UNHCR Ireland and a number of NGOs.
The Department’s statement says that it is making ongoing efforts to reduce the number of residents in emergency accommodation as well as the length of time that residents spend there.
Demand
“As the Ombudsman rightly points out, it is impossible to predict accurately the demand for international protection,” the Department says.
“In the last two years we have seen significant increases in the number of new applicants and the consequent demand for our accommodation services.
“Much of our use of emergency accommodation could be eliminated if the more than 1,000 people who have been granted permission to remain in the State but continue to reside in Direct Provision accommodation could relocate into mainstream accommodation.”
Transition
The Department says it is working with local authorities and city and county managers to assist residents with this transition.
It has also provided funding to the Peter McVerry Trust and DePaul Ireland as part of this process.
The Ombudsman has also commended the speed of response and specific actions taken in relation to COVID-19.
Cocooning
Over 600 residents have been relocated to support social distancing in centres and cocooning measures for the most vulnerable.
A maximum of three single people are sharing a room.
An independent Expert Group, led by Dr Catherine Day, former Secretary General of the European Commission, is continuing its work on examining the Direct Provision system to advise on the development of a long-term approach to the provision of support including accommodation to persons in the international protection process.
Good practice
This includes identifying good practice in other European countries. This Group is expected to report by the end of the year and its recommendations will be brought to Government.