Cavan-Monaghan TD Pauline Tully has called for the reintroduction of inspections at Direct Provision centres after images of a direct provision resident with significant sores emerged on social media.

After viewing the images Teachta Tully responded by saying: 

“The images recently recorded of a direct provision resident in the St. Patrick’s Accommodation Centre in Monaghan with significant sores were disturbing and distressing and should be of concern to all in our community. 

“I contacted the International Protection Accommodation Service at the Department of Justice to express our concerns that an inspection of this facility has not taken place since December 2019 and to request that one takes place as soon as possible. 

“My party colleague Matt Carthy TD has also contacted the Minister for Children, Equality, Integration and Youth Roderic O’Gorman (who has responsibility for this matter) to express our concerns and to urgently implore him to intervene and ensure this individual receives any required medical treatment as a matter of urgency.

“The direct provision system is cruel and Sinn Féin oppose it and have worked to see its replacement.

“This has been recognised by government in their commitment to its abolition. However, we need to see an increase in the speed with which this process takes.

“In reply to a recent parliamentary question I submitted, Minister O’Gorman has confirmed it is his intention to publish a White Paper on the replacing of the direct provision system by the end of the year.

“Sinn Féin have long campaigned for an end to the direct provision system and the introduction of a system which is not based on profit.

 “We will continue to keep the government to account on their commitments in this regard.”