'How can we live like this?': Nearly 1,000 asylum seekers living in tents on the streets

Sami Kupiszewski from Turkey, on Mount St in Dublin. Picture: Sasko Lazarov

Almost 1,000 asylum seekers have been left without any accommodation, with the majority sleeping in tents on the streets.

People who arrived in Ireland seeking international protection have now started holding protests amid what is described as “extraordinary levels” of homelessness for those seeking shelter here.

Latest figures from the Government confirmed that 970 asylum seekers have no accommodation, with that number expected to keep rising in the weeks ahead.

The Department of Integration revealed that 1,382 eligible male international protection applicants have arrived here since December 4. 

This is the category of asylum seekers for whom the State is increasingly facing difficulties in sourcing accommodation.

On Tuesday, up to 100 tents could be seen outside the offices of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) on Mount St, Dublin.

Tents have also been erected by asylum seekers in a park near the ESB building in East Wall, north Dublin.

A small group of people seeking international protection protested at the Dáil.

Sami Kupiszewski from Turkey, who is one of the men living in tents at the IPAS offices, said the protest is just the start of a campaign for proper accommodation and support.

“How can we live like this?” he said. 

People walk by and film us, there are many different levels of discrimination, racism, and injustice.

“Nobody cares about us, and nobody comes to talk with us. There is a bad narrative about us. The housing crisis is not our fault.”

Government sources said there is a real fear among accommodation providers of protests, or possibly arson attacks, which has limited its ability to provide shelter to asylum seekers, particularly single men.

Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman is engaging with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste, and the public expenditure minister on the long-term plan to accommodate asylum seekers.

The plan is not yet ready to go before Cabinet for approval.

In a statement, the Department of Integration said it is providing “contingency material reception conditions in the form of an expense allowance of €113.80 per week to some International Protection applicants due to the severe shortage of accommodation”.

“This is an increase of €75 per week from the standard expenses allowance of €38.80 for IP applicants in accommodation,” it said.