The ‘Catherine Day Report’

The most commonly mentioned sub-theme was the “Report of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process” (‘Catherine Day report’). 34 submissions noted the recently published report and requested that the recommendations outlined therein be fully implemented. Most of the 34 submissions suggested prioritising of the development of a long-term approach to a new, permanent system to replace direct provision. CCJHR (UCC), along with others, emphasised the importance of fulfilling these recommendations by mid-2023.

CCJHR (UCC), Comhlamh Ireland, CEC, Doras, FP, MRCI, Nasc, UNHCR and public members 2, 4, 11, 15, 22, 28 and 29 noted that finance and resourcing in relation to migrants should be a priority in the Department’s SoS. Improving access to the labour market and education system, as outlined in the Day Report, was raised by Comhlamh Ireland. They also recommended that the DCEDIY introduce capacity assessments to identify “roadblocks to employment and integration”. In this regard, public member 2 recommended providing access to information and legal supports relating to work permits and other vital “community connections”, such as the opening of bank accounts, awarding of driver’s licenses, and accessing education opportunities.

Another commonly proposed priority for the DCEDIY SoS was the provision of housing for international protection applicants. Public members 11, 15, 25, 26 and 29 recommended that international protection applicants be transferred as a rule, to “own-door accommodation” after a maximum of three months spent in initial reception centres. CCJHR (UCC), CEC and four members of the public (11, 15, 26 and 29) recommended the provision of HAP-equivalent payments to “international protection applicants” to ensure that they can “source their own accommodation or get support services on-site to source accommodation while their protection application is processed”. Public member 4, 22 and the CEC suggested further investment in public

housing, with all three arguing that without investment “even asylum seekers who have received their status are often stranded in reception centres”.

CPNN noted that under the remit of the Department of Justice, a decision was taken that no more than three unrelated international protection applicants should share a room in a Direct Provision or Emergency Accommodation Centre during the Covid-19 pandemic. They asked that the DCEDIY, in its SoS, include a “commitment to achieving single occupancy for each individual or family unit”.