Closing all direct provision centres by the end of 2024 is "extremely difficult to achieve", according to the Integration Minister.
In 2021, Roderic O'Gorman launched a White Paper on ending the system of housing asylum seekers, which has been described by human rights groups as inhumane.
Catherine Day, who was head of a group looking at progress on the Government's promise, said two months ago ending the system by the end of 2024 was no longer possible.
Minister O'Gorman admitted today it is very unlikely to happen:
"The objective of having all direct provision closed by the end of 2024 is extremely difficult to achieve.
"What we are looking to do early this year is bring forward an implementation plan in terms of what key steps can we deliver, particularly focusing on the delivery of more state owned, state provided accommodation."
