REFUGEE organisations have reacted angrily to legislative changes withdrawing rental allowances from asylum seekers as the Department of Justice moves to take control of all asylum related welfare payments.

The Irish Refugee Council has criticised Government plans to deny rent allowance to asylum seekers.

The Irish Refugee Council has attacked the Government for attempting to remove the issues of asylum and refugee protection from the agenda for the current round of social partnership talks.

The Irish Refugee Council has criticised Justice Minister Michael McDowell over plans to crack down on benefits for asylum seekers.

The Irish Refugee Council have said it is a disgrace that the social welfare payments to asylum seekers will remain at €19.10 a week.

The Irish Refugee Council has condemned the Government for deporting a 20-year-old Nigerian woman despite an ongoing appeal before the European courts.

The Irish Refugee Council has attacked the Government's policy on immigration.