Five complaints made by people in direct provision

The Office of the Ombudsman has received five complaints from people living in direct provision, in the first two weeks since asylum seekers were allowed to contact the office with concerns.

A spokesman for the Ombudsman said the complaints, in the main, revolved around issues of transfers and transport, and was in line with expectations.

Any complaints lodged with the Ombudsman must first have been raised within the direct provision centre and then afterwards with the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) before being lodged with the Ombudsman.