Reducing the length of time people are spending in Direct Provision is the number one priority, according to the Junior Minister of Justice and Equality.

Aodhan O'Riordáin today the report from the working group looking at the system will be completed by the end of May.

The Direct Provision system, which is in place 15 years today, has been criticised for its treatment of asylum seekers, many of whom have been waiting years for a resolution.

Minister O'Ríordáin admits the amount of time people spend in the system is a priority and remains the “overarching issue” that needs to be addressed.

“I think the number one issue that has been raised in all the direct provision centres I have visited, and all the representative groups that I have met have said that the length of time people are spending in the system is the number one overarching issue,” he said.

“If we can come to some way of addressing that issue then all the other issues will probably flow from that but again I’ll wait for the report to be published at the end of May and that’s when the recommendations will come from the working group,” he added.

The report will hopefully turn the page on a 'regrettable period' in Irish History, Mr O’Ríordán said.

At the end of May, a working group tasked with examining the system of Direct Provision will deliver a report to the Government.