The Irish Refugee Council says this Christmas should be the last one that asylum seekers spend in Direct Provision centres.

Protests by residents have highlighted what they call 'inhumane' conditions in the centres and there are calls for the Government to cut the length of time people are forced to stay there.

Migrants groups have drawn up a list of those who are left waiting the longest and want their applications for refugee status to be heard in a one-off quick scheme.

There are currently four and a half thousand people in Direct Provision centres in Ireland - the average waiting time is 4 years and six months.