I am sharing time with Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan. I take this opportunity, the first chance I have had, sincerely to wish the Minister well in her role. It is a very important role and I congratulate her on her appointment. September is usually an extraordinarily busy time in schools and this September has been no exception. I recognise the work that schools, teachers, principals, staff and officials in the Department have done to ensure that the schools opened. I contacted some schools in my area in recent day…

The Minister has already made it clear that the Government condemns all forms of racism in our society. I welcome the opportunity to address the House on this very important issue. A recent key development in the fight against racism has been the formation of the anti-racism committee, which has a mandate to develop a new anti-racism strategy and action plan for recommendation to the Government. The purpose of the committee is to develop an understanding of the nature and prevalence of racism in Ireland, including …

The issue of direct provision has taken up a significant amount of my time, that of the Minister and that of the Department in recent years. Many improvements have been made. A significant number of people are now in own-door or self-catering accommodation. We have been moving in that direction but it is very difficult, as colleagues are aware. There are 69 residents, including nine children, in the premises in Cahersiveen. The accommodation has 56 bedrooms and capacity for 150 residents. The residents are a mix of…

There have been calls for many years to close direct provision but many improvements have been made. What happens now is that when people arrive in the country and look for international protection, as a State we are obliged to offer them accommodation, heat, food, a bed, education and so on. That is what people get. Many people move through each centre. There are over 1,000 people now in centres who have status to remain and we are struggling to find accommodation for them. It is a very challenging area for everyb…

I inquired today about the health of people in direct provision centres who have contracted this virus, as have many citizens of Ireland, and I am told that none of them is very seriously ill. I wanted to report that good news. Some people have symptoms only and others have no symptoms. Anybody who has been tested has been moved to an isolating facility. The HSE has confirmed to us that there should be no movement into or out of the centre at this time unless directed by public health. Residents have been asked by …