Number of asylum seekers without State accommodation passes 600

Fears that the number could reach 1,000 within weeks

The latest figures show there are currently 601 recently arrived international protection applicants without any State-provided accommodation. It is the first time the number has passed 600 since the introduction of direct provision in March 2000.

The number of asylum seekers without State accommodation has passed 600, with fears it could reach 1,000 within weeks.

It comes as Government sources have said it is not anticipated that Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman will have a revised white paper ready for Cabinet next week. The revised paper is to include how the Government plans to source new accommodation centres. Mr O’Gorman said the Government plans to create new centres by either building on State land, acquiring new premises, or leasing buildings.

The latest figures from the Department of Integration show there are currently 601 recently arrived international protection applicants without any State-provided accommodation. It is the first time the number of people without accommodation has passed 600 since the introduction of direct provision in March 2000.

Government sources signalled the figure has been reached just six weeks after the Government said it could no longer offer accommodation to all new arrivals due to capacity issues.

One source said there is a fear within the Government that the number could increase to close to 1,000 within weeks if capacity constraints persist alongside an increase in people coming into the country. Another Government source said the department has been grappling with a surge in the number of families and children seeking refuge.

A source said there is some line of sight of accommodation for families in the coming weeks. However, the source said there is “extreme pressure” to find vacant premises to house single male asylum seekers.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the Department of Integration said they are working to bring more bed spaces into use.

However, they said: “Various issues beyond the control of the department have resulted in offers not being progressed, and accommodation not contracted, swiftly enough to meet the demand.”

The department said drop-in day services will be available to those who have not been offered any State accommodation.

European elections

Separately, migration is the single most important issue for Irish voters ahead of the European elections, a new poll has revealed. 

The poll carried out by Ireland Thinks with a sample size of 1,517 people shows 37% of respondents said migration was the most important issue to them. 

A breakdown of the research relating to migration found that the issue is most important for 41% of men polled, compared to 33% of women. It is also the main issue for most full-time and part-time workers and respondents aged 35 to 44. 

Every income level agreed that migration was the most important issue, although those earning in excess of €80,000 per annum viewed reducing carbon emissions as almost as big an issue. Migration is the least pressing issue among the 18- to 34-year-old cohort, who pointed to reducing emissions as more important ,with 21% wanting the matter addressed. 

Some 17% of people polled said reducing energy costs was more important to them. The poll, which was commissioned by Rockwood Public Affairs, was carried out on December 13-18 and the margin of error was +/- 2.6%.