Inspections must resume at DPCs – Tully

A local TD is calling on the Government to resume inspections at Direct Provision Centres. The call by Sinn Fein TD Pauline Tully follows reports that a resident at a Monaghan-based facility developed skin sores, photos of which were shared widely on social media. Deputy Tully described the imagines as “disturbing and distressing” and said conditions at such centres “should be of concern to all in our community".

She revealed she has contacted the International Protection Accommodation Service at the Department of Justice to express concern that an inspection of this facility had not taken place since December 2019. Deputy Tully is requesting that an inspection takes place “as soon as possible”.

Her colleague Matt Carthy has also contacted the Minister for Children, Equality, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman to express his concerns and to “urgently implore” the government to intervene and ensure the individual from the photographs receives any required medical treatment as a “matter of urgency”.

The Department of Children subsequently confirmed that cockroaches were found in a direct provision centre in Monaghan after residents took to social media to complain about the living conditions there.

Deputy Tully further remarked: “The direct provision system is cruel and Sinn Féin oppose it and have worked to see its replacement.

“This has been recognised by government in their commitment to its abolition. However, we need to see an increase in the speed with which this process takes.”

She noted a reply to a recent parliamentary question from Minister O’Gorman who confirmed his intention to publish a White Paper on the reform of the direct provision system by the end of the year.

“Sinn Féin has long campaigned for an end to the direct provision system and the introduction of a system, which is not based on profit.

“We will continue to keep the government to account on their commitments in this regard,” concluded Deputy Tully.