Author: Ailbhe Conneely
Charities working with individuals in direct provision centers have raised concerns about the growing number of people who are being asked to leave their accommodations and are becoming homeless in Dublin. Department of Housing data shows a 25% increase in individuals ending up in emergency housing in the 12 months leading up to May this year. Recent months have seen hundreds of asylum seekers with permission to stay in Ireland being instructed to leave direct provision or relocate to other accommodation centers across the country. This has caused fear and uncertainty among those affected, such as Ruby and Kate, who…
The Government has appointed Dr Ebun Joseph as the Special Rapporteur for the National Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), which aims to tackle racism in Ireland. Dr Joseph, a Nigerian-Irish lecturer, will lead the Advisory Group on Racism and Racial Equality to ensure the plan’s effective implementation. The NAPAR seeks to address racism’s impact in Ireland by fostering awareness and taking proactive measures. Dr Joseph will track progress towards the plan’s goals and enforce racial equality standards by collecting data from public bodies. Meanwhile, Shane O’Curry, Director of the Irish Network Against Racism, highlighted migrant concerns about safety due to a…
The number of people accessing emergency accommodation has reached a new high, with 14,159 individuals seeking shelter last month. This marks a 150-person increase from the previous month, highlighting the ongoing crisis of homelessness in Ireland. Within this total, 9,843 adults and 4,316 children found themselves in emergency accommodation in May. The figures demonstrate a concerning 14% rise in the past year, with a 16% increase in families and a 17% increase in homeless children. Sinn Fein’s Housing Spokesperson, Eoin O’Broin, criticized the government for its lack of action in addressing the escalating crisis. He pointed out that since lifting…
Irish Catholic Bishops Urge Parishes to Combat Human Trafficking Irish Catholic Bishops are leading the charge against human trafficking, calling on parishes to become more informed and increase awareness to support victims. Attending a conference in Cork on the issue, the bishops are working alongside An Garda Síochána and the Santa Marta Group, established by Pope Francis in 2014. The conference aims to unify efforts in identifying and supporting victims, as well as disrupting organized crime groups involved in trafficking. While Ireland has made strides in addressing human trafficking, it remains a Tier 2 country, according to the recent Trafficking…
The Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, has pledged to invest in modernizing mental health services following the findings of the Mental Health Commission’s report. The report expressed concerns about the failure of services to comply with minimum standards, particularly in areas like staffing, care planning, and risk management. Minister Donnelly emphasized the need for rapid access to compliant, patient-focused facilities for all patients requiring mental health support. He highlighted the government’s commitment to investing in services and improving capacity. Despite improvements in some areas, the report noted a decrease in compliance rates and highlighted issues such as physical restraints and…
The number of Ukrainian arrivals in Ireland has shown significant growth from February to June this year, with over 2,500 more people coming to the country. As of 2 June, 107,406 individuals from Ukraine have arrived in Ireland since March 2022, compared to 104,870 arrivals in February. The spike in numbers led to the introduction of a 90-day accommodation policy for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, providing state accommodation and weekly allowances. Kenmare in Co Kerry was noted as having the highest number of Ukrainian arrivals at 2,844. A recent report by the CSO revealed that 46% of the arrivals…
Concern is rising over the potential homelessness faced by asylum seekers granted refugee status in Ireland. The International Protection Accommodation Service is advising those in Direct Provision to seek alternative housing. The European Migration Network found that recognized refugees are struggling to move out of Government-provided accommodation. For example, Shelley and her children were moved 200km away, causing her to leave her job and her daughter to face challenges in school. Challenges accessing autonomous housing, coupled with the policy of not evicting individuals into homelessness, lead to long stays in IPAS accommodation. This hinders integration and career progression. Discrimination by…
Unlocking Housing for Refugees in Ireland: Challenges and Solutions A recent study by the European Migration Network (EMN) in Ireland has shed light on the struggles faced by recognised refugees in transitioning from government-provided accommodation to autonomous housing. The EMN, part of the Economic and Social Research Institute, highlighted the increasing challenges faced by refugees in accessing suitable housing. The research revealed that barriers such as the shortage of social and affordable housing, inadequacies in support services, language barriers, and discrimination are preventing refugees from moving into independent housing. As of January 2024, about 6,000 people with International Protection status…
A recent study by the European Migration Network (EMN) in Ireland has revealed that a significant number of recognised refugees are experiencing difficulties transitioning from government-provided accommodation to independent housing. The EMN, a branch of the Economic and Social Research Institute, highlighted the challenges faced by refugees in accessing suitable housing, which not only impacts the individuals but also strains the capacity of government-provided accommodation for asylum seekers. Main barriers identified included a shortage of social and affordable housing, insufficient mainstream support services, language barriers, lack of information, and discrimination. The study reported that as of January 2024, around 6,000…
The final report of a scoping inquiry into historical sexual abuse in day and boarding schools run by religious orders is set to be delivered to the Minister for Education today. This follows a series of abuse allegations from the 1960s and 1970s in schools operated by religious congregations. The report, exceeding 200 pages, will provide recommendations from Senior Counsel Mary O’Toole regarding the Government’s response to the revelations. The inquiry focused on ensuring survivor input was a key component and engaged with religious orders throughout its process. It also included a critical analysis of the response of religious orders…