'When you live in a direct provision centre, it’s like you are bound’

One year on from white paper promises, end of direct provision is not yet in sight, writes Ellen O'Regan

Miriam Raja, who now lives in Midleton, Co Cork: 'I think abolishing provision centres will allow people to be independent. It will help them to join in with the community, and be themselves.' Picture: David Keane

It is almost a year since the publication of a white paper to abolish direct provision and while there are signs of progress, those in the system still feel no tangible change.

Miriam Raja arrived in Ireland in 2015, from South Africa. She spent three years in direct provision, arriving into the system with her son and husband, and having her second child while still living in one family room in a centre in Glounthaune, Cork.