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	A study of Ireland&#39;s asylum seekers process has found applicants can be waiting up to seven years for a decision on their application.</p>
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	AN ESRI report published today has also found that the accommodation is often unsuitable, with people living in overcrowded facilities.</p>
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	More than 4,800 asylum applicants were being accommodated in 35 reception facilities at the end of 2012, down from just over 5,400 residents accommodated in 39 centres in 2011.</p>
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	Some 59% of asylum seekers were living in the temporary accommodation for more than three years, 31% for more than five years, and 9% for more than seven years.</p>
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	Emma Quinn of the European Migration Network said children in particular were suffering.</p>
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	&quot;The system is having a negative impact on children. (Some) 38% of residents were aged 18 and under, and 18% were aged five and under.&quot;</p>
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	The report found insufficient homework and play areas for children.</p>
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	Ms Quinn went on to say: &quot;There are serious problems in how long it takes to process a protection application in Ireland at the moment. A lot of EU member states would have what&#39;s known as a single protection procedure which would be much faster than the current Irish system.</p>
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	&quot;<a href="http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/asylum-seekers-waiting-up-to-seven-years-for-decision-621970.html">http://www.irishexaminer.com/breakingnews/ireland/asylum-seekers-waiting-up-to-seven-years-for-decision-621970.html</a></p>
