The plight of children in living in Direct Provision has not improved since 2021.
A report from the Ombudsman for Children says the crisis-driven response currently being executed by Government has made the situation worse for children.
The Ombudsman for Children’s said it's not satisfied with the response of the government to its 2021 investigation on Direct Provision.
And is calling on the Government to move away from emergency responses for children seeking international protection and to plan to ensure that children are growing up in safe, secure environments.
This is the first time that a report of this kind has been published since the commission was established in 2004 and highlights three specific recommendations from 2021.
It is calling for an end of the use of commercial hotels and plan for accommodation capacity pressures, put in place a robust quality assurance mechanism and assess vulnerability of children in the international protection process.
The Ombudsman for Children Dr Niall Muldoon said inadequate standards in 2021 are still inadequate standards in 2023.
