Help on the way for 'going home' asylum seekers

The Government is to provide financial assistance for asylum seekers and “irregular migrants” who wish to return home, Justice Minister Michael McDowell announced today.

Three new assisted voluntary return programmes will be operated by the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) on behalf of his Department following the success of a pilot programme.

Since November 2001 the IOM in Ireland has helped around 500 people of more than 50 nationalities return voluntarily to their countries of origin.

Mr McDowell said he would help asylum seekers and migrants in three categories.

* One programme will assist the parents of Irish-born children to help their families return and reintegrate into their own countries of origin.

* The general Voluntary Assisted Return Programme will help people who cannot fund their own return to their countries of origin.

* A third programme will assist unaccompanied minors.

The IOM hopes that voluntary return will become the preferred option for those who no longer wish to remain in the asylum system, or who have been refused refugee status.