Thirteen complaints lodged with Children’s Ombudsman over Direct Provision

The Ombudsman told RTÉ’s Morning Ireland that complaints have been received about the variety and nutritional value of food, overcrowding, lack of play facilities and mental health issues.

Many complaints and queries involve concerns about payments and finance. €15.60 a week is paid for a child in Direct Provision.

The Ombudsman has not yet fully investigated any of the complaints.

Last month, Children’s Ombudsman Dr Niall Muldoon said his office was working to build trust with asylum seekers and refugees.

He said: “Until April of this year, there was no avenue for children and young people living in Direct Provision to make a complaint about their living conditions, or indeed about any public service. Since April the Ombudsman for Children’s Office (OCO) has finally been able to accept these complaints and we are currently making our way around the country to meet with as many children and families as possible.

“Since beginning this process we have found that many people living in Direct Provision find making a complaint very daunting. Understandably they are fearful that a complaint of any kind, to any organisation, may affect their refugee status. That is not the case.

“We are working to build trust so that children and families know they can come to us. We need to ensure that people have the confidence to come forward and to highlight issues that they feel are negatively impacting on children.”