Government runs out of accommodation for asylum-seekers arriving into Ireland

A spokesperson said tents and sleeping bags would be provided to asylum-seekers where required

A spokesperson for the Department of Integration confirmed that there is now a shortfall of accommodation for international protection applicants. File picture: Conor Ó Mearáin / Collins 

The Government is no longer able to provide accommodation to all asylum-seekers arriving in the State due to a severe shortage of beds.

A spokesperson for the Department of Integration confirmed there was now a shortfall of accommodation for international protection applicants.

“Despite intensive efforts to source emergency accommodation, the department is currently not in a position to provide accommodation to all international protection applicants due to the severe shortage,” the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson added tents and sleeping bags would be provided to asylum-seekers where required.

“Drop-in day services will be available to unaccommodated international protection (IP) applicants who wish to avail of them. In such centres, IP applicants can access facilities including hot showers, meals and laundry services seven days a week,” the spokesperson said.

“All unaccommodated IP applicants will be provided with the contact details for International Protection Accommodation Services (Ipas) and with information on accessing health and other public services in Ireland.” 

The spokesperson said the department would now work with the HSE to ensure health services were provided “to all those in need”, with assessments by HSE and Ipas staff for vulnerabilities.

The department said there were “various issues” beyond its control that had led to the shortfall in accommodation.

It added that  Ireland is currently accommodating more than 100,000 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection (IP) applicants. 

This includes over 74,000 Ukrainian people who have sought accommodation from the State and over 26,000 IP applicants currently in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation.

On Sunday, Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman confirmed the Government would run out of beds and that it would move to prioritise housing families.

“As has been the case in the past, we’ll always look to accommodate families so it will probably be male applicants without families who will be left unaccommodated,” Mr O’Gorman said.

He also confirmed “additional resources” would be provided to any asylum-seeker that is not offered accommodation.

Mr O’Gorman said the current allowances for asylum seekers without accommodation would need to be increased.

At present, any international protection applicant is entitled to a weekly payment of €38.80.

Meanwhile, Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) chief commissioner Sinead Gibney said she was deeply concerned at the development.

“Failure to provide accommodation can lead to related breaches of the law with respect of the provision of material reception conditions that include food, a daily expense allowance, clothing, basic hygiene facilities and access to healthcare, all of which are to ensure an adequate standard of living for those applicants,” she said.

Alongside this, an assessment of the special reception needs of an applicant for International Protection must be completed within 30 working days from when they make that application. This is likely to be significantly impeded if a person is without accommodation and any vulnerabilities exacerbated by a period of homelessness.

“We are especially concerned that the refusal of shelter by the State puts these individuals at high risk on the streets, particularly in the current context of increased activity by those wishing to foment anti-immigrant sentiment.” 

Amnesty Ireland said that the prospect of asylum seekers having to sleep rough on the streets is a “grave human rights concern, especially in these harsh winter conditions”.

“We acknowledge there are pressures on the system but this is absolutely unacceptable.” 

The Irish Refugee Council said that the move from Government was a breach of domestic and international law, and said it would lead to an “increased risk on the streets”.

“High Court decision in April stated that it was unlawful to not accommodate people,” it said. “All government departments must act, fulfil legal obligations, and prevent crisis.” In that April decision, Mr Justice Charles Meenan ruled the Minister for Integration's failure to provide “material reception conditions” for a homeless Afghan asylum seeker was not in compliance with EU (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018, and the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights.

What was provided by the minister “fell far short of what is required”, particularly in terms of the lack of accommodation/ shelter, the provision of food and basic hygiene, he said.

Ms Gibney, from IHREC, said a failure from the Government to provide accommodation to asylum seekers arriving here would again breach legislation.

“In April the High Court ruled, in a judicial review case concerning the human rights of people arriving in the State seeking International Protection, that failure to provide International Protection applicants with material reception conditions was unlawful, and that it amounted to a breach of the applicant’s right to dignity under the Charter of Fundamental Rights,” she added.