On 5 July a group of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - including FLAC, Doras Luimní, Nasc and the Irish Refugee Council - held a briefing in Leinster House for new TDs and Senators. The NGOs called for a fair and independent complaints system to be established for people living in direct provision.
At present there is an informal and formal complaint mechanism to the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA), an administrative unit of the Department of Justice. RIA is responsible for providing accommodation for asylum seekers in the State but contracts out this task to private companies. This lack of an independent complaint framework has led to concerns by asylum seekers about making a complaint whilst in direct provision, in case it affects their application for protection.
FLAC recommended in its 2010 report that the complaints mechanism should be revised using the Ombudsman's Guide to Internal Complaints Systems. According to the Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly, fairness and independence are among the essential features of a good internal complaints system.
Click here to read a press release by the NGOs detailing their concerns.