A group of TDs and Senators is visiting the direct provision centre at Mosney in Co Meath this afternoon.

They will meet management, staff and residents at the centre.

It follows site visits to direct provision centres in Galway and Limerick within the last two weeks by members of the Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions.

They are focusing on issues including the direct provision allowance, the quality of accommodation at the centres, the complaints process and how long it takes to process applications.

The committee has previously met representatives from the Irish Refugee Council, Anti-Deportation Ireland, Doras Luimní - which supports migrants living in Limerick - and SPIRASI, which works with asylum seekers, refugees and other disadvantaged migrant groups.

Protests by residents last year highlighted what they call 'inhumane' conditions in the centres and there are calls for the government to cut the length of time people are forced to stay there.

Migrants groups have drawn up a list of those who are left waiting the longest, and want their applications for refugee status to be heard in a one-off quick scheme.

There are currently 4,500 people in direct provision centres in Ireland, with an average waiting time of four years and six months.