All this week on Newstalk, we are looking at the reality of Direct Provision.
We will hear from men, women, and children who are living in Direct Provision around the country, along with the stakeholders, the people who protested against it, and the people who have come out the other side.
We visit the communities that have welcomed asylum seekers and find out what conditions are really like in some of the centres.
Do we have one of the best systems in Europe or is there a better alternative?
Keep up-to-date with the content below.
Direct Provision
n this week's 'Between the Lines' programme, Andrea is joined by a panel of experts to discuss the issue of direct provision as a part of a station-wide series.
Together they discuss the history behind the system, the processing involved in taking people into the country seeking asylum status, its failings, opposition to the system, as well as the affect it can have on families and children in particular.
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- Dr Liam Thornton - an assistant professor in UCD School of Law. His new project, www.exploringdirectprovision has made available twenty years of Government cabinet papers, departmental policy documents, and high level civil servant clashes on issues pertaining to direct provision for asylum seekers in Ireland.
- Tanya Ward - Chief Executive of the Children's Rights Alliance
Over the last few months there has been a number of protests against plans to accommodate asylum seekers in some rural areas.
There has been protests in Oughterard, Ballinamore and Achill Island.
While there were arson attacks on hotels, which had been earmarked to accommodate asylum seekers in Moville in Rooskey.
But what are the reasons behind these attacks and protests; and is it as simple as labeling them racist.
"I'm 13, I feel Irish, I've been here for eight years"
A Ghanaian family, who have been living in Direct Provision in Ballyhaunis for eight years, say they are afraid that they may be deported.
"My students threatened to rape and murder me; I had to leave South Africa"
Asylum can be sought on grounds of religious and political persecution. These asylum seekers from South Africa, Nigeria and Albania have been telling our reporter, Barry Whyte, why they came to Ireland
People from many different countries come to Ireland to seek asylum.
Asylum can be sought on grounds of religious and political persecution.
And these asylum seekers from South Africa, Nigeria and Albania have been telling our reporter Barry Whyte why they came to Ireland…
"Asylum seekers in Lisdoonvarna now part of the community"
Around eighteen months ago there was a public meeting in Lisdoonvarna, where 90% of the people in attendance voted against plans for a Direct Provision centre being located in the town.
But fast-forward to now and there are 127 residents, 49 of them children, being accommodated in the King Thomond Hotel, and they've been warmly welcomed by locals.
But why was there a change in heart?
Is Direct Provision Inhumane?
Just recently the Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that Direct Provision here was not inhumane.
However groups like the Movement of Asylum Seekers Ireland say the system is, and they want it abolished. But what is Direct Provision really like? And do those living in the system think it's inhumane?
Inside Direct Provision - Mosney and Ballyhaunis
Twenty years ago the then government came up with the concept of Direct Provision.
Places like Mosney and the old convent in Ballyhanis in county Mayo were converted to accommodate asylum seekers.
Our reporter Barry Whyte has been on a tour of centre in both Mosney and Ballyhaunis and spoke to residents who live there.
Up to thirty children in emergency direct provision in Carrickmacross not attending school
Over twenty children who are living in the M Hotel, formerly known as Treacys Hotel in Carrickmacross, have had no access to education for over two months.
This is a breach of EU law; EU directive on reception conditions for asylum seekers states that all children in direct provision should be granted access to the education system, whether this be in local schools or in the accommodation centres themselves.
Our reporter Barry Whyte has been speaking to a mother-of-three from South Africa, who lives in the hotel...
"My six-year-son was smuggled from Zimbabwe into Ireland"
An asylum seeker who is living in direct provision here has told Newstalk that her six-year-old son was smuggled into Ireland three weeks ago.
🎧PODCAST: An asylum seeker who is living in direct provision has told Newstalk's @BarryWhyte85
that her six-year-old son was smuggled into Ireland three weeks. ago https://t.co/B76FlanWcd— Newstalk (@NewstalkFM) November 22, 2019