DONEGAL TD Thomas Pringle is bidding to end the regime here which forces asylum seekers to spend up to a decade in so-called ‘direct provision centres’ around the country
The independent deputy says 4,300 plus asylum seekers, more than one third of them children, are living in “inhumane conditions not fit for the 21st century in the 34 direct provision accommodation centres throughout the country. This system must end.”
The Donegal TD highlighted the costs of the system, saying it had been extortionate, but was “providing little in terms of a decent standard of living. The State has given more than €850 million to private firms for the provision of accommodation and food since direct provision was established.”
He went on: “Many of these companies are large firms involved in the property, hospitality or catering business.
“Several have moved to shield their company accounts from public scrutiny and, in some cases, their beneficial owners include companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man or British Virgin Islands.”
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