# INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION
Over 62 men seeking asylum in Ireland not offered accommodation as tents are handed out
Concerns have been raised about the risk to asylum seekers who may end up in tents on the street, after tents were set on fire back in May.
Yesterday
5th December 2023
Tents to be offered to asylum seekers with no accommodation as Govt confirms €75 weekly payment
Yesterday, it was announced that the state had run out of accommodation for international protection applicants.
This week
3rd December 2023 - 6th December 2023
Minister for Integration says current system is 'not working' and was built for a different era
Experts on international protection have said more Ministers need to step up to support the work of the Department of Equality and Integration.
Ministers to discuss a €75 payment to asylum applicants after accommodation runs out
The Department of Integration has confirmed the state has run out of accomodation for everyone.
Living expenses for asylum applicants to be increased if state runs out of accommodation
The minister said it’s “likely” the state will run out of accommodation in the coming days.
Last week
26th November 2023 - 2nd December 2023
Highest number of asylum applications filed on record last year
Over 13,600 people applied for international protection last year.
This year
2023
Documents reveal 'desperate' pleas among government departments to house asylum seekers
Newly released emails show the strain on department officials last January.
Taoiseach: Ireland won't give Palestinian refugees the same protection as Ukrainians
The Taoiseach said Ukraine is “very much in our neighbourhood”.
Extra €1b announced for Ukrainian accommodation as Minister confirms tents may be used over winter
Currently, 800 people are being housed in tents.
The plan to end Direct Provision by next year is being revised - what's next for the system?
The Government’s White Paper had committed to ending Direct Provision by 2024.
Government extends suspension of visa-free travel for people with refugee status
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said the decision was ‘carefully considered’ and is ‘necessary to protect the integrity of Ireland’s immigration system’.
State to pay €1.5m to EU over lack of accommodation for asylum seekers
Taoiseach says it is not realistic, legal, or practical to put a limit on the numbers of people coming into Ireland.
Irish officials to review 'safe countries of origin' designation on 8 nations within next year
The designation applies to countries deemed to be safe for the purposes of asylum applications.
Around 50% of international protection applicants this year granted permission to stay
The Department of Integration said 217 male applicants remained unaccommodated last week.
Ireland may 'fall short' on human rights obligations over lack of accommodation for refugees
Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said that the Government was “working tirelessly” to resolve the situation.
Simon Harris: 'It's not for any of us' to question decisions of Gardaí on the ground at protests
The Justice Minister said that he has full confidence in members of the Gardaí to implement the law when policing protests.
Tourist season set to take 1,300 beds from system housing refugees
Pod-style modular homes which will be delivered in a shorter time frame, but may not last as long, are being considered.
Majority of working asylum seekers are in low-skilled jobs and others struggle to find work
Since 2018,12,000 applications have been granted for asylum seekers to work.
'Onus on us all to challenge narrative that single males pose threat to communities', TDs told
The Department of Integration says finding accommodation for asylum seekers is “extremely difficult”.
Taoiseach wants time to process asylum seekers cut down to less than 12 weeks
Leo Varadkar said that the Govt needed to take a “fair and firm and hard” approach to migration.
Refugees from 'safe' countries must have their cases heard fairly, says immigration lawyer
Junior Minister Sean Fleming also said that people coming from countries deemed safe may have genuine reason to seek asylum.
No buildings available so far after Minister's most recent urgent refugee accommodation appeal
Minister Roderic O’Gorman wrote to his ministerial colleagues recently in an urgent appeal for more properties.
Debunked: No, ‘100,000 unvetted foreign nationals’ did not receive free accommodation in a year
Figures for people applying for asylum in Ireland are publicly available… and not nearly that high.
Ministers sign off on new €10m International Protection Fund to support community needs
The minister emphasised the need for urgent access to large-scale temporary facilities.
Asylum seekers sleeping rough on the streets of Dublin: 'I don't know what's next'
55 asylum seekers have been left without anywhere to stay in recent days.
55 asylum seekers left without accommodation since Citywest closure
The International Protection Accommodation Service will continue to provide accommodation for families with children.
Fears closure of Citywest to new International Protection arrivals 'clear breach' of human rights obligations
The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission has called on Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman to reverse the decision.
The Citywest closed to new arrivals earlier this week, though it will remain open for all other matters.
Over 20 International Protection applicants have been left without accommodation since the closure.
The IHREC has called on Integration Minister Roderic O'Gorman to reverse the decision.
New asylum accommodation might not be ready for five weeks, as charities prepare for influx
The news comes amid reports of people being forced into sleeping on the streets upon entering Ireland.
Taoiseach says Govt will be examining tougher border controls to prevent illegal immigration
The Taoiseach said that there had been a significant increase in the number of International Protection applicants last year.
Modular houses to come on stream as Cabinet briefed on refugee accommodation crisis
Many hotels currently under contract with the Department of Integration will revert to tourist trade in March and April.
'No place for racism of any form': Leo Varadkar criticises anti-refugee protests in Ballymun
The protests have taken place over the last three days.
Housing Minister 'disturbed' by anti-refugee protests in Ballymun over the weekend
Lord Mayor of Dublin Caroline Conroy said that the protests were “embarrassing” and “upsetting”.
Last year
2022
Ukrainian women and children moved from Kerry to Mayo at short notice
The group of Ukrainians, which include dozens of school-going children, received less than 48 hours’ notice they are to be bussed to Westport
'Huge' challenge to provide for refugees this year as State estimates €850m spend
Further funding will have to be sought for accommodating refugees from Ukraine and other countries, says minister
Explainer: Why has the govt suspended visa-free travel from 'safe' countries for refugees?
The agreement will be suspended for the next 12 months.
FactCheck: Were refugees and asylum seekers segregated by race in a Dublin processing centre?
An activist Twitter account claims an “apartheid system” gives Ukrainians preferential treatment over asylum seekers from other countries.
Arrivals to a Dublin centre were given different coloured wristbands depending on their race according to an activist group.
Wristbands determined access to beds with Ukrainian arrivals given beds while other asylum seekers slept on the floor, the group alleged.
The group, Abolish Direct Provision Campaign, called on Minister Roderic O'Gorman to resign.
Congolese woman's plea to remain in Ireland fails after court challenge
The woman claims that if transferred, she would be subject to inhuman and degrading treatment.
All time
Minister appoints independent group to track progress on ending Direct Provision
The government earlier this year published its plan for a new system with not-for-profit accommodation.
Deaths in Direct Provision to be recorded and released by Department for first time
It comes after a number of TDs and Senators called for greater transparency.
Contracts with private firms running Direct Provision should not be renewed - Refugee Council
There are currently more than 7,000 people living in Direct Provision.
1
2