Direct Provision

Direct Provision

Direct Provision, we’ll hide you there. Direct Provision, no one will care; And maybe in ten years or so We’ll free you soul and let you go From our care, from our indecision From this welfare, Direct Provision. Yeah! You might think our system sucks But really, we don’t give a fuck, Our boys are out to make a buck From this windfall, Direct Provision.

Schoolday’s over, go hurry home; The cell is waiting, do I hear you groan? Your mother never cooks a meal, It’s all bought in, it’s never veal, You’re growing up, a hidden child From the world, in Direct Provision. Straight from school go behind the gate, There’s a curfew, don’t be late Suffer now our great, our indecision, In Direct Provision.

On 19 Euro, you’ll last the week! Don’t moan, don’t simper, don’t even speak; They’re doling out the toilet paper It’s not been used, it’s rough, it’s cheaper So count your stars you’ve landed here,
Free from freedom, free from fear In our own, Direct Provision. Yeah! The Mosney heads will make a packet; It’s good for some, a paying racket, And you’ll be free, if you can hack it Here, in Direct Provision.

— © Frank Callery, November 12th 2016.

The State has given more than €850 million to private firms for the provision of accommodation and food since the direct provision system was established. Many of these companies are large firms involved in the property, hospitality or catering business. Several have moved to shield their company accounts from public scrutiny and, in some cases, their beneficial owners include companies in offshore jurisdictions such as the Isle of Man or British Virgin Islands. Mosney has been the biggest recipient of public funding (€101 million), followed by East Coast Catering (€91 million), which runs three centres in Dublin and Dundalk.