Direct provision: a positive move
Political and administrative reluctance to provide the kind of supports Irish emigrants once received in similar circumstances remains
Ellie Kisyombe from Dublin at a rally in the capital last year calling for an end to the direct provision system for asylum seekers. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
The treatment of asylum seekers by successive governments has been shameful: thousands of vulnerable people were sent to direct provision centres; they were denied the right to work and were kept waiting for years for decisions on whether they could remain here. It has taken a ruling by the Supreme Court and a deadline for remedial action to shake the Government out of its torpor. Minister for Justice Charlie Flanagan is expected to bring proposals to Cabinet next week that will allow work permits to be granted in limited circumstances.