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Laura Hutton/Photocall Ireland

High Court case could be a 'step towards ending Direct Provision system'

The Irish Refugee Council has welcomed the High Court’s decision to grant leave to a family to challenge the system which it says operates at a ‘huge financial and human cost’.

THE HIGH COURT has granted leave to a family of asylum seekers to challenge Ireland’s Direct Provision system.

The decision has been welcomed by support groups with the Irish Refugee Council declaring it a step towards ending Direct Provision entirely.

“We hope that this will be another step towards ending Direct Provision and replacing it with a reception system that meets the needs of refugees at a reduced cost to the Irish taxpayer,” the group said in a statement.

“Direct Provision has operated for the last 13 years at a huge financial and human cost,” added CEO Sue Conlan.

The challenge has been taken on the grounds that Direct Provision – which sees applicants granted €19.10 per week, on top of accommodation and three meals a day – is unconstitutional.

The High Court heard arguments that the system violates rights to family and private life as the families are excluded from social welfare payments.

The family argues that the system has no legal basis, was unlawfully established and is operating in a legal vacuum. They also believe that forbidding asylum seekers both from working and from receiving social welfare payments violates the Constitution and the European Convention on Human Rights.

Anyone requesting asylum in Ireland is placed into one of 35 direct provision centres around the country, where the average length of time spent in the centres is about four years.

The case will begin on 4 November.

Read: Immigrant Council call for clear procedures for stateless people in Europe

Shatter: “It is misleading to call Direct Provision inadequate”

Related: High Court case on whether direct provision is unconstitutional may take 2 weeks

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116 Comments
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    Mute Alan Johnson
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    Jan 27th 2014, 3:00 PM

    If its what needed to get a country to take its affairs seriously then so be it.

    I’d Like the EU to consider same regarding Uganda after imposing horrific (US missionary inspired) homophobic laws last year.

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    Mute wright sean
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    Jan 27th 2014, 3:50 PM

    What a waste

    Ask yourselves,if it was the other way around would they help us?? I think not

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    Mute White Fang
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    Jan 27th 2014, 4:12 PM

    It’s not the Journal without a bit of myopic begrudgery.

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    Mute Bobo Delaney
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    Jan 27th 2014, 2:37 PM

    Yahhhhhhhh :) good news

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    Mute Ball Bag
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    Jan 28th 2014, 7:16 AM

    There are a couple of guinea pigs lining up to vote!

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