Press release (15 June 2020 for immediate release): Irish Refugee Council welcome commitment to end Direct Provision

Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said:

“We strongly welcome the commitment to end Direct Provision contained in the programme for government. This is a significant moment in the long campaign to end Direct Provision and is necessary step for triggering future change. While not a cure-all, centring an alternative on a not-for-profit approach is important: vast amounts of money have been spent on the current system with little return. The commitment to a capital and investment programme is also very important.”  

“There have been false dawns in the past however and implementation will be crucial. Disentangling ourselves from a 20 year old system that currently accommodates 7,700 people across 84 locations is a huge, but essential, challenge. We will continue to offer constructive recommendations, ideas and expertise and to try to ensure that people directly affected guide this process.”  

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Notes to editor:

Alternatives to Direct Provision, Irish Times op-ed February 2019

Irish Refugee Council Submission to the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality June 2019