Frances Fitzgerald has announced a review of drugs and alcohol policies and services in prison

The Government has ruled out dismantling the controversial direct provision system and will instead propose a regime of fast-track application decisions.

The EU is under increasing pressure from soaring migrant numbers and there are now almost 4,500 people in the direct provision system in Ireland, many of whom have been here for over seven years and still do not know if they can remain.

But Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has warned that it is "not feasible" to say there are alternatives to direct provision.

"The whole question of accommodation is very complex and very difficult," she told the Irish Independent. "What is happening in many (EU) countries is special areas are being designated for accommodation. There are tented villages springing up.

"We have a system of direct provision that provides accommodation and meal requirements for families. The children go to local schools."

The Fine Gael minister warned there were no workable alternatives.

She added: "It is not ideal and it needs improvement but it is not feasible to say there is alternative accommodation in the short term for the thousands of people who are in direct provision."

Irish Independent