Asylum seekers in jeopardy - Alarm bells ring

The conditions faced by asylum seekers living in direct provision centres have been a cause for concern for a long time.

It is obvious that things are not as they should be. It is obvious too that, even if the complexity of the issue is recognised, it is taking far too long to put procedures in place that can be described as transparent, fair, effective and, most of all, decent. Two interventions yesterday add to the sense that the system is not fit for purpose and that a forceful intervention is required.

The outgoing Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan warned that the treatment of children in direct provision centres is an issue of ongoing concern which the State urgently needs to address. That Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald had to order an inquiry into allegations that some women in direct provision have to resort to prostitution to feed their families moves the entire issue to an entirely different, more sinister level. We have had more than enough shaming reports about how neglect can so quickly become abuse. This difficult issue must be resolved.