Asylum seekers face poverty, say groups

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 first part of the new measures, which are due to be published today (ok) as part of the Social Welfare Bill, 2003, will lead to extreme hardship and likely homelessness for asylum seekers, the Irish Refugee Council (IRC) said.

“It is extremely disturbing that proposed Government legislation will deny rent allowance for all asylum seekers, regardless of their medical or other circumstances. This legislation is a crude attempt to prevent people, regardless of their need, from finding suitable housing.