Direct provision has been criticised both in Ireland and internationally. Migrant and refugee rights organisations have been calling for change to the direct provision system for over 20 years. The current system creates barriers to integration and contributes to poor mental and physical health and social exclusion for those living in the system.
One year ago, the Government released its White Paper taking onboard expert recommendations on dismantling direct provision by 2024. Since then, there has been minimal movement and change to the system, with almost 7,200 people continuing to live in direct provision.
Civil society organisations, including Crosscare, are coming together to say that the State must begin dismantling direct provision. STAD is a coalition of migrant rights organisations Standing Together Against Direct provision. We are calling for the Government to fulfil its commitments to end direct provision by 2024. We want a humane alternative that respects international protection applicants’ human rights and dignity.
Over the coming months, we will be raising awareness about this ongoing issue and calling on the State to stick to its commitments to end direct provision by 2024.
When Direct Provision was established in 1999, it was intended to be a temporary solution to housing people applying for international protection. It’s been 23 years, and the number of people living in direct provision rises each year. This month, over 7,200 migrants live in direct provision and emergency accommodation centres across Ireland. Direct provision is inhumane and must be replaced with a more humanitarian system that respects and preserves the dignity and well-being of migrants and their loved ones.
As part of STAD (Standing Together Against Direct provision), Crosscare is calling on the State to fulfil its commitment to end direct provision by 2024. To learn more about http://www.stad.ie
