The time it takes to process refugee applications doubled from 15 to 30 weeks during last year, despite a series of recommendations to speed up the system.

The Retired High Court Judge Bryan McMahon has expressed disappointment that little has changed in the Direct Provision system, since he chaired the first fundamental review of it nearly a year ago.

Ellie Kisyombe from Malawi is one of 5 thousand people currently living in direct provision – a quarter of whom are children

WATCH: What's the hardest part of living in Direct Provision? Ellie: "Everything" pic.twitter.com/yM3db1EVzA

— Helen Vaughan (@HelenVaughan24) April 27, 2016

The number of cases waiting at the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner also more than trebled –- up to 2 thousand 582 -– during 2015.

Helen Vaughan reports.