Nineteen years ago today, the weekly rates of State allowance for people living in Direct Provision were set by Government officials.
The rates were IR£15 (€19.10) per adult and IR£7.50 (€9.60) per child.
Since last August 2017, the rates were increased to €21.60 per child and adult.
This morning law lecturer at University College Dublin Liam Thornton launched a new website which, for the next year, will make available key documents on the system of direct provision obtained under the Freedom of Information Act.
Mr Thornton writes that the project will explore:
Making available previously unreleased documents on the creation of the system of direct provision. Contextualising the significant milestones as regards the creation and operationalisation of the system of direct provision.
The arguments engaged in between Government Departments and officials as regards responsibility for the system of direct provision.
The role of the narrative of reform, something ever present within governmental discourses on direct provision.
The negation of law and legalism until July 2018, and explaining the limits of law and human rights discourses in challenging direct provision.
