Government Plans to Charge Asylum Seekers for Substandard Accommodation will Further Impoverish This Cohort, Warns Doras

Limerick-based migrant and refugee charity Doras are very concerned at reports that government leaders are considering significant changes that would require asylum seekers to make contributions towards the cost of their accommodation.  

John Lannon, Doras CEO, said, “We’re talking about families who are already struggling to get by, they’ve left their homes in most cases with nothing. We’ve just launched an urgent appeal for donations of basic items such as baby clothes and blankets, winter coats and shoes, because we’ve seen how destitute those families are right now. They’ve arrived with nothing. They don’t have friends or family they can get any assistance from.”

He continued, “If the government wants asylum seekers to contribute in the same way as everyone else, then they need to ensure that these families have access to services and supports like everyone else.”

Under current immigration rules, asylum seekers do not receive child benefit, cannot avail of State supports like grants for third level education, and are not allowed to get on the social housing list. 

Doras and other organisations have long reported on the sub-standard accommodation provided for asylum seekers, many which are converted warehouses, pubs and offices. 

Lannon said, HIQA’s (the Health Information and Quality Authority) inspections last April, reported pest infestations and overcrowding, with children having to do homework on the floor. This is what the State would be asking people to contribute towards.”

He continued, “Doras has seen first-hand that people who come here looking for international protection often have additional medical needs, perhaps as a result of the violence they’ve experienced. You add to this the housing crisis, even when people get their papers, it is impossible to find their own accommodation.”

Lannon highlighted, “Like everyone else, asylum seekers who work pay tax. So we question the motives behind this new announcement, as there has been an ongoing trend that undermines the rights of asylum seekers and puts them in situations where they are at further risk of exploitation. By employers, people traffickers, and others.” 

He finished, “When the Taoiseach says that the government will consider further changes to the supports available to those seeking asylum in this country, we worry that they will make a situation that is already difficult for many people even worse.”

There are currently 2,588 people seeking international protection in Ireland who have not been provided with accommodation. 

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*HIQA Inspection Report (April 2024): https://www.hiqa.ie/hiqa-news-updates/hiqa-publishes-first-inspection-reports-international-protection-accommodation  

*Doras Report on Accommodation Centres for Ukrainians (June 2024) https://doras.org/news/room-improve-new-report-shows-standards-vary-greatly-state-provided-accommodation