At launch of #DirectDivision webinar launch #DirectProvision
Dr Niall Muldoon highlights how there are so many decisions made by government depts where children are not actively consulted or engaged and ultimately these decisions can impact negatively on these children #DirectDivision
Dr Muldoon highlights the need to tread carefully, win trust, and to ensure the children involved were happy with how their views would be represented #ParticipatoryResearch #DirectDivision.
Dr Muldoon thanks the children who participated and hopes it effects the change they and their friends have asked for. @OCO_ireland
Video made by children now being shown. 'We are trapped basically and we need to be freed' 'Some of my friends make fun of me' ' They don't see you as a normal person, but when a Spanish exchange student comes, they are like normal.. they are 'us'
"I have been in direct provision 5 years now and it is painful". "We just sit, wait, eat" "Someone is watching my every move, everything I do" "I just wonder why are they doing this to us, We are not animals" #DirectDivision @OCO_ireland
"I love Ireland and everything but the system is just so so slow, the system is changing people"; "My mam... I watch her just suffer all the time, It is painful"; "I hope it is going to be great and Ireland will love us and the people here. Thanks" #DirectDivision @OCO_ireland
Sorry but I missed the name of this speaker. Anyone? #DirectDivision
Aoife McNamara. Direct provision having a profound impact on the rights of children. They felt a sense of camaraderie within the centre, but didn't have a place to socialise within the centre. Valued the provision of a teenage room
Sports, Drama and Music as ways of feeling included in schools and community. But children frequently felt excluded. Racism, sectarianism and discrimination experienced by the children
"I feel ashamed to tell my friends that I'm an asylum seeker" Lack of understanding about direct provision among the community
Sports and Music while could help with inclusion it also exposed sense of exclusion. Compounded sense of isolation and contributed to an acute sense of shame and stigma
In every centre children said that of people knew how they made them feel they wouldn't treat them that way #DirectDivision
Dr Carmel Corrigan now outlining the priorities for action in relation to #DirectProvision. Shorter processing times; consideration of children's experiences of persecutiion; implementation of National Standards; Incl of EU Recast Directive provisions on rehabilitation supports
Consideration of child specific persecution is hugely important. #DirectDivision
Independent Inspection Body needed to implement the National Standards; supports for children who have experienced trauma needed. Need to plan ahead for closure of centres who cannot meet the standards and will therefore have to close. Need to minimise use of emergency accom
Like some many reports before, increased EAL resources is highlighted and posts and resources shared among schools; reflecting McMahon report, need to ensure provision of homework/study space and wifi.
Recommendation that Dept of Education put free fees initiative on secure footing and ensure children know about it
Carmel focusing now on promoting inclusion. Need for Dept of Ed & Dept and Justice to work together to provide training and recognising and addressing racism at all levels in schools, be it among staff or students.
Recommendation that any replacements of direct provision are located in less rural and isolated areas and provision of transport is provided so that children can socialise in the community & activities within centre
Anti racism strategy and new Migrant integration strategy must reflect experiences of children in the international protection system.
Views of children must be fed into the reviews of direct provision, either by consulting them or using this and other previous reports that include children's views #DirectDivision @OCO_ireland
Question time now. What critical interim changes need to be made to realise the rights of asylum seeking and refugee children? Dr Niall Muldoon highlights the critical need to speed up processing time, implement new standards, and crucially, listen to the voices of children
Recognition of racism and sectarianism particularly in schools is highlighted by Carmel Corrigan. This racism contributes to sense of shame, stigma and exclusion that children feel. Addressing this would lead to positive change @OCO_ireland #DirectDivision
Another question: What powers does the @OCO_ireland have to address what has come up in the report and what can higher education system do to address them? Niall Muldoon highlights important role of University of Sanctuary movement and role of @OCO_ireland in third level
Question from Tusla staff member re new system. Dr Muldoon again highlights that the replacement of direct provision cannot just be a change of wrapping. The processing of claims must speed up. Fundamental change required, engaging with Dept of Housing #DirectDivision
Role of CYPSCs crucial says Niall Mulhood. Aoife highlighting need for replacement to be child centred and focused on the dignity and rights of people seeking protection
Question from me (but actually I didn't ask it so not sure who did??!!). Aoife highlighting need for entertainment and recreational activities in centres. Teenage rooms in centres important. Children moved around the system and are aware of differences in centres
Some centres can access funding for summer camps and recreational activities. Residents self organise to create activities for teenagers - Aoife. #DirectDivision
Dr Carmal Corrigan highlighting the desire of children to engage in activities outside of the centre, but transport is a crucial issue in this regard. Need for more sustained relationship between local oragnisations and clubs which doesn't involve the children being in the centre
If the activities are in the centre, the children and young people don't have the opportunities to mix with young people in the local community - Dr Carmel Corrigan #DirectDivision
Dr Niall Muldoon now giving closing remarks. This issue will be top of the agenda in discussion with several government departments, likely to include housing. The need to move away from emergency accommodation is essential.
Dr Niall Muldoon highlights need for government to push forward on its commitments as regards direct provision and urges the minister to consult with children in this regard.
A multi media exhibition based on the consultations with children - and suggested by them - will be going on tour in libraries around the country during the next year. This will allow important engagement with local communities. @OCO_ireland #DirectDivision
Dr Niall Muldoon thanks the children who participated and attended the webinar and says he hopes their views were represented well. #DirectDivision #Directprovision.
End.
