The Minister of State with responsibility for Direct Provision Aodhán Ó Ríordáin says he will not stand over the 'inhumane' system.

It comes amid a series of protests at centres over the facilities for residents while they wait for their asylum applications to be processed.

Residents of another accommodation centre for asylum seekers began refusing food last week.

The protest at the Montague Hotel in Emo in Co Laois is the third to hit direct provision centres in recent weeks.

It is housing up to 160 residents, 60 of whom are children.

According to human rights group Doras Lumni, the average length of time individuals spend in direct provision is four years - with 25% of asylum seekers spending over six years in limbo.

Mr Ó Ríordáin says a working group will meet for the first time this Thursday to come up with proposals to deal with the issue.

And he told Newstalk Breakfast he is 'staking his reputation' on this more than previous ministers in the Department of Justice.

Meanwhile, a protest is continuing at a Cork based facility for asylum seekers this morning.

Up to 300 residents at the Kinsale Road Reception and Accommodation Centre mounted a blockade outside the building and are blocking access to staff.

Speaking to RedFM News, Joe Moore of Anti-Deportation Ireland says residents are fed up.