Consultation
Work Programme
Published on
Open for submissions from
Submissions closed
Last updated on
Published on
Open for submissions from
Submissions closed
Last updated on
Consultation is closed
This Work Programme has been prepared in accordance with the terms of reference agreed by the Government and taking account of the Ministerial Roundtable Consultations with NGOs held on 18 September 2014.
The work will be approached on a thematic basis. Three themes have been identified from the terms of reference.
Theme 1 Improvements to the direct provision system (i.e. living conditions while in designated centres) aimed at showing greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system and improving their quality of life.
Theme 2 Improved supports (e.g. financial, educational, health) for protection applicants aimed at showing greater respect for the dignity of persons in the system and improving their quality of life.
Theme 3 Improvements to existing arrangements for the processing of protection applications with particular regard to the length of the process.
All recommendations for improvements are subject to the need to ensure that:
It is acknowledged that there is some overlap between the themes. The working methods adopted by the Group will facilitate crossover between the discussions of the themes where necessary.
The following topics are suggested for consideration by the Working Group with a view to identifying practical measures that can be taken in the short and longer term to improve the experience of protection applicants in direct provision centres:
a) sleeping /living arrangements for families with young children, families with teenage children.
b) Play/homework/study facilities for young children /teenagers
c) Child safety and protection
a) Sleeping/living arrangements
a) Nature and variety of foods
b) Scope for residents to prepare their own meals within existing or new physical structures
The following topics are suggested for consideration by the Working Group with a view to identifying practical measures that can be taken in the short and longer term to improve the supports for protection applicants in direct provision centres:
a) cope to increase the weekly allowance paid to residents
b) access to discretionary social protection supports
The Government is committed to legislating for a single application procedure. The legislation will be forward-looking; applicants awaiting a final determination (grant of status or deportation order) on the commencement of the new regime will have their cases determined under existing arrangements, although the possibility of applying the single procedure to certain of those applicants is under consideration.
With this in mind the following topics have been identified for consideration by the Working Group with a view to identifying practical measures to support:
a) supports to assist applicants in putting forward their case fully at the earliest possible stage
b) supports to assist vulnerable applicants, including victims of torture, to put forward their case fully at the earliest possible stage
a) option of voluntary return before order is signed and engagement of International Organisation for Migration
b) the situation of persons with deportation orders which have not been effected within a 12 month period
Consultation is now closed.