Almost 150 asylum-seekers without accommodation

Since last Monday, 185 new arrivals were unaccommodated at one stage, with 19 subsequently being offered accommodation after being triaged for vulnerabilities. File picture: Gareth Chaney/ Collins

Some 147 international protection applicants (IPAs) are currently left without State-provided accommodation, "despite intensive efforts to source emergency accommodation", the Department of Integration has said.

Since last Monday, 185 new arrivals were unaccommodated at one stage, with 19 subsequently being offered accommodation after being triaged for vulnerabilities.

Another 19 have since been offered accommodation.

The Department of Integration said all male IPAs who present to the International Protection Office are assessed by Ipas and HSE staff for significant vulnerabilities and health issues and are prioritised for accommodation as necessary.

Some 166 IPAs have received a weekly contingency payment of €113.80, a temporary increase of €75 from the current rate of €38.80 for those who have not been offered accommodation.

Doras refugee and migrant rights group chief executive John Lannon described the payment as “entirely inadequate” saying it is not enough to meet basic food needs, let alone cover accommodation costs.

“Giving an additional €75, a sleeping bag and a tent is not going to keep them safe. There is absolutely nowhere you can find accommodation for that price in Dublin or anywhere in the country,” he said.

Mr Lannon said it was worrying there did not seem to be a plan from the Government to address the severe accommodation shortage, adding it had been almost a year since a lack of accommodation initially led to international protection applicants being without shelter.

“It's disappointing that the State is back in this position again, given that it was pointed out to them earlier in the year that they were in breach of their obligations,” he said.

Mr Lannon said the safety of those without accommodation was a concern and as the numbers increase, it presented greater risks.

It's very unsafe for people to be on the streets now that the weather is getting much wetter and colder, but even more worrying is the anti-immigrant sentiment that seems to be feeding violence in Dublin.

“We know from our work that protection applicants and migrants in general are more worried now than they have been in the past as a result of this far-right organised violence,” he said.

He said it was concerning that vulnerable young men who are likely to be traumatised from past experiences are left without accommodation.

“We can't comment on this without highlighting again, the failure of the Government to plan for the medium- to long-term accommodation for international protection advocates and beneficiaries of temporary protection,” he said. 

Mr Lannon believes the Department of Integration has been “left carrying the can” and it is time for the Department of Housing “to take responsibility”.

“That includes the refurbishment of buildings and building more modular units because it's really disappointing to see how many of those units have been built and how much refurbishment work has been done given the amount of unused buildings there are around the country,” he said.