The Green Party said today that the Direct Provision system is denying children the chance at a normal life, and that the current system is unacceptable.
Speaking in response to the publication of the Department of Children and Youth Affairs report on consultations with children and young people living in direct provision, Green Party Justice & Equality spokesperson, Cllr. Roderic O’Gorman said:
“One element that that shines out clearly from this consultation with children is the fact that they are being denied the very basic elements of their childhood. They bring up the fact that they aren’t allowed keep pets in their direct provision centres. They mention that they can’t socialise in the evenings, as the direct provision centres are isolated at the edge of urban areas and buses aren’t running. They can’t afford to buy things in schools, like their peers.
“Even more concerning is the view expressed by many children that they actually felt unsafe. This arises from the fact that many adult men are houses in direct provision centres alongside children. It also comes from poor relations between children and some staff in direct provision centre.
“This report is yet more evidence of the absolute failure of direct provision. The fact that the Irish State has created a system which forces families and individuals to live together for years on end and the children in this system feel unsafe is an indictment of our country. Direct provision and currently implemented needs to end now.”
