![Morning Focus [Repeat] with Alan Morrissey](https://www.clare.fm/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AlanMorrisseyOnAir.png "Morning Focus [Repeat] with Alan Morrissey")
The Clare Immigrant Support Centre says the ‘unequal’ treatment of asylum seekers and refugees is ‘disturbing’.
It follows suggestions from the Integration Minister that the direct provision system will not end in 2024 as planned.
Ending the 22-year-old system of direct provision, was a significant part of the Green Party’s demands when signing up to the three party coalition Government back in 2020.
However, two and a half years on from that and the world is a very different place, with the pledge to have the system done away with in two years time now looking increasingly unlikely.
45,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Ireland since war broke out there back in February, with nearly 2,700 of those here in Clare at the latest count.
There’s also been a doubling of numbers of people of other nationalities seeking protection in Ireland.
Minister Roderic O’ Gorman appeared to suggest over the weekend that these numbers mean ending the current direct provision as is in two years time would be very difficult to do.
However, Knockalisheen direct provision centre Bulelani Mfaco claims the Government’s actions have never indicated a willingness to end the system quickly.
There have been criticisms that refugees and asylum seekers are being treated differently by the system depending on their country of origin.
The Co-Ordinator of the Clare Immigrant Support Centre says it’s becoming a ‘disturbing’ practice.
Orla Ni Eili says a separate Government department for Ireland’s refugee programme should be considered.
It’s understood a review of an initiative to further help refugees integrate into society is now being undertaken and will be published within the next number of months.
Listen back to the full interview below:
