There are currently more than 7,000 people living in Direct Provision. By Cónal Thomas Wednesday 27 Jan 2021, 6:30 AM Jan 27th 2021, 6:30 AM 24,716 Views 29 Comments CONTRACTS WITH PRIVATE companies running Direct Provision centres should not be renewed in 2021, the Irish Refugee Council has said. ‘Implementing Alternatives To Direct Provision’ – a report drawn up the Refugee Council and Campbell Tickell housing consultants – has made a number of recommendations about how the Government should transition away from the controversial system of accommodating asylum seekers. It comes as the Government prepares to publish the long-waited ‘White Paper’ for ending Direct Provision, which was set up in 1999 and has seen over €1 billion paid to private firms to house asylum seekers in often sub-standard accommodation.