The White Paper on ending direct provision

On 26th February 2021, Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Roderic O’Gorman TD, published the 'White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service'. 

The document acknowledges the ineffectiveness of the previous Direct Provision program and the human rights concerns that have been raised against it, prompting a massive reform. In its place, the new International Protection Support Service will offer holistic support services to people who have arrived in Ireland seeking refuge, encompassing health, housing, education, and employment.

This White Paper outlines the structure of the new system, which focuses on ongoing access to government services while encouraging integration and applicant independence. The International Protection Support System will be gradually implemented from 2021 to 2024.