Asylum seekers ‘denied chance to integrate’

HUNDREDS of asylum seekers are facing into at least their third New Year in Ireland living in direct provision accommodation, according to the Irish Refugee Council.

The council’s chief executive Peter O’Mahony said these families have had no real opportunity to integrate, and the children of many such families have never known a parent to cook a meal or to work, because they are not allowed to do so.

He also urged the Government to increase the supplementary welfare available to such families. These allowances have not risen from €19.10 a week per adult and half that rate for children in more than five years.

“We sought an increase in the adult rate to €44 and €20 for children, but it remains at the same level as 1999 and was one of the few not to increase in this month’s budget,” he said.

“We will be endeavouring in the new year to put pressure about this issue on Social and Family Affairs Minister Séamus Brennan, who has appeared open to examining some of the more extreme welfare payment situations,” Mr O’Mahony added.

The IRC estimates around 11%, or more than 600, of the 6,000 asylum seekers living in direct provision accommodation have been in that situation for at least two years, and dozens may have been in that position since before 2000. Under direct provision, families are given board and meals and receive supplementary welfare, but are not permitted to work.

It is also estimated hundreds of people whose asylum applications have been turned down have spent a number of years of uncertainty awaiting a decision on their case for leave to remain in Ireland.

The number of fresh asylum applications looks likely to have fallen by around 40% from last year’s total of 7,900. By the end of November, 3,847 new applications and 489 re-applications had been made, down 43% compared to the same period last year.

Mr O’Mahony said the significant fall in numbers seeking asylum here offered an opportunity to deal with issues that have been on hold for a number of years.

These include setting up the Refugee Advisory Board, legislated for in 1996 to prepare reports for the Department of Justice, including information on asylum policy and related laws.