Unsafe Conditions In Direct Provision Centres

TD calls for government action on unsafe conditions in Direct Provision centres

Brid Smith TD urges immediate measures after letter from over 600 medical experts raises alarm over conditions at centres

People Before Profit TD Bríd Smith has said her party intends to demand Government action over what she describes as “not only inhumane but now potentially life threatening conditions” at Direct Provision centres housing asylum applicants for international protection.

The TD was reacting to a letter signed by over 600 medical experts alarmed at conditions at the centres and the impossibility of people there applying social distancing or self isolation. The letter points out that people in direct provision must live “in shared bedrooms, ..and ..share sanitary and eating facilities.

Bríd Smith said it was almost three weeks since a Government Action plan promised measures to relieve overcrowding and poor conditions, “ but we are still waiting as the pandemic grows and affects more people, we are now told an extra 650 beds will be provided in other facilities; this is not sufficient to relieve the pressure or deal with the issue in these centres”.

The TD said she would be proposing measures to remove the real risks in these centres similar to proposals she had made relating to emergency hubs and homeless accommodation.

“Immediately we need to take over empty housing units and hotel spaces as well as accommodation now free from the collapse in AIRbnb numbers, so social distancing and self isolation is a realistic prospect for all people here. But we also need to take measures similar to those the Portuguese Government took and grant asylum to those here. This crisis will not differentiate between people and it is clear the direct provision system is not only inhumane but now dangerous in the middle of this crisis.”