Students say Ireland should be "more accommodating" to asylum seekers — survey

A survey of 1,000 students and academic staff has found that more than half believe Ireland should be "more accommodating" to asylum seekers.

The survey of 1,000 people in CIT Bishopstown campus over two days in October also found that 72% believed those living in direct provision (DP) should have access to grants for third-level education.

However, the survey in CIT, answered in the main by students, found many people were unaware of the conditions of living in DP and only one-in-five respondents knew anyone who lived in DP.

Half did not know whether or not asylum seekers in DP were allowed to work in paid employment and more than 8% thought they were allowed to work.

Just 30% of those questioned knew that asylum seekers receive €19.10 a week from the State, with a slightly higher percentage of respondents believing they received more.

While 56% said they agreed that Ireland should be more accommodating towards asylum seekers in DP, 19.5% said they “strongly agreed” with that statement.

When asked if there was enough public awareness in Ireland about the issues faced by those in DP, 68.6% said there was not.

The survey also found 63% of those aged 16 to 26 had heard of DP — a far higher percentage than the comparable figures in older age groups who took part in the survey.

The survey was taken as part of a Lives In Limbo conference held in CIT this week, which also featured a message from President Michael D Higgins, in which he said there was “an absolute duty to address the individual and complex narrative of each asylum seeker with empathy and compassion”.

He wrote: “There are, currently, almost 4,500 people living in the Direct Provision System in this country. They are people who have come to Irish shores in search of asylum and support, but who now inhabit a place of loneliness and segregation; a place which allows them no voice, no right to participate, to seek and obtain employment, or to offer their skills and talents to their community.”

He made similar comments during his recent visit to Africa, prompting some to query whether he was exceeding the limits of his office.

The Government has announced a review of DP, to be undertaken by a new expert panel.