Minister pledges 'immediate improvements' in direct provision system

An extra €45m in funding has been pledged to direct provision, despite the government committing to phasing it out, confirmed Minister for Children, Disability, Equality, Integration and Youth, Roderic O Gorman. Picture: Gareth Chaney/Collins

The Minister for Children has outlined plans to bring "immediate improvements" to the direct provision system, with an increase of €45m in funding in Budget 2021 even though the government has committed to phasing it out. 

Speaking at a Budget briefing, Minister Roderic O'Gorman also said he had stressed the importance of additional funding for children and families affected by domestic violence and the importance of youth work, particularly during the pandemic.