The Government is establishing a new Expert Group to provide better long-term solutions to Direct Provision.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said the group will allow for better medium and long term planning for the future.

The group will be chaired by the former Secretary General of the European Commission Dr Catherine Day and will include a range of people with direct experience of the asylum process.

A number of NGOs working in the area will also be represented.

It is due to report back at the end of 2020.

Minister Flanagan said the group “brings together a small number of highly experienced individuals to devise long-term approaches to supporting asylum seekers.”

“I am pleased that we can draw on their expertise to see if there are new ways in which we can better meet the needs of asylum seekers and ensure we can adapt quickly to any variations in demand,” he said.

The Minister of State for Immigration David Stanton said the group will also look at ways of improving engagement with local communities during the planning process for new accommodation centres.

“We have seen at first-hand the concerns of communities when new accommodation centres are first mooted in their areas,” he said.

“While we have recently had successful outcomes in opening new centres in Borrisokane, in Ballinamore and in Ennis, the Expert Group will look at how we can engage more effectively with communities so that we can work together to respond to the needs of asylum seekers and of local residents.

“This is essential for successful integration opportunities.”

Direct Provision campaigner Ellie Kisyombe has given a cautious welcome to the plan.

She said the recommendations made by the Government’s last group have yet to be implemented and said this latest must offer a clear timetable for reform.