Immigration: Communities must be heard on placement of Ipas centres – Tánaiste
Tánaiste and finance minister Simon Harris: 'I think the voices of communities, engaging with communities, actually help enhance social cohesion — and I would be concerned about anything that would in any way dampen down the voices of communities.' Picture: Brian Lawless/PA
Communities must be heard on the placement of asylum seeker centres, the Tánaiste has said.
Reports on Sunday suggested that the Department of Justice and minister Jim O’Callaghan are considering legislation that would curtail the ability of members of the public to object to several major proposed International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) centres across the country.
Asked about the report, Tánaiste Simon Harris said the proposal “hasn’t come to Government yet” and added that it is “important” that communities have a voice.
“I read that report, and I look forward to being fully briefed in relation to this,” he said. “There’s obviously a balance here, but I do always think having an opportunity for communities to engage is very important too.
“I think the voices of communities, engaging with communities, actually help enhance social cohesion — and I would be concerned about anything that would in any way dampen down the voices of communities.
“Irish people are good, they’re full of common sense, they’re decent, compassionate people, and I think actually hearing the voices of communities is a good thing.”
The Government has targeted seven larger reception centres to be built across the country, with two sites in Dublin and one in Athlone among those identified.
In a reply to a recent parliamentary question, Mr O’Callaghan said his department is “currently accommodating over 33,000 people in approximately 310 Ipas centres around the country”, as well as 19,300 Ukrainians in state accommodation.
Last month, the International Protection Bill, which will overhaul much of the immigration system, passed the last stage of its Oireachtas journey in the Seanad.
During that debate, Mr O’Callaghan said that, under the new law, if it is passed, people will be assessed on the EU-wide Eurodac system from June 12 onwards and will have their details taken on that information system that will “contain data in respect of individuals who have sought asylum”.
The bill sets out to implement an accelerated processing system for those from designated safe countries of origin, applicants who have received protection elsewhere in Europe, citizens of countries from which there are the largest number of applicants, and countries which have seen numbers applying for asylum here dropping.
As part of the legislation, it is envisaged that asylum claims will be processed more quickly due to the introduction of a “more efficient decision-making system”.
It is also hoped that the legislation will reduce the cost of assessing asylum applications, as faster processing times will reduce the length of time a person will spend in State-provided accommodation.
It will also lead to successful applicants being granted asylum sooner, as well as returning those with unsuccessful applications to their country of origin more promptly.
During the Seanad debate, Mr O’Callaghan said it was “perfectly legitimate” to identify those claiming asylum in Ireland.
"When somebody arrives in, they will be told they have to go to a screening centre. Under the legislation, I will designate screening centres.
"Let us say we decide that a place up in Rathmines, for example, is to be a screening centre. If somebody comes in and they claim international protection, we tell them they have to go to the screening centre in Rathmines, as that is where they will be checked on the Eurodac system, and where screening and seeking to verify their identity will take place. It is a perfectly legitimate request to ask a person to go to Rathmines for that to happen."
- Paul Hosford, Acting Political Editor
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