Direct provision centres cost State €1bn

The State has paid almost €1bn to private operators to run Direct Provision centres for asylum seekers since 2000, an RTÉ Prime Time report has found.

Despite this, medical professionals have warned of the detrimental impact life in such centres has had on the families living there due to conditions in the residences.

Dr Paula Gilvarry, Former President of the Irish Medical Organisation and GP to asylum seekers told the programme, broadcast last night, that she has seen a delay in the speech development of children raised in such centres.