In Ireland a two – tiered system has emerged in response to the Ukrainian refugees and those seeking international protection.  The living conditions of those seeking international protection has deteriorated to an all time low.  Today, the Irish Refugee Council launched a ‘Now I Live on the Road’ which highlights the impact of homelessness on international protection applicants. The report states:

Almost 1,400 people seeking protection in Ireland have been forced into homelessness for up to 10 weeks since the Government failed to accommodate them on arrival. The title of the report is from a message received by the Irish Refugee Council from a person experiencing homelessness.

This report describes the Irish Refugee Council’s experience of supporting homeless people, contains interviews with international protection applicants and testimonies from frontline service providers such as GPs and charity sector staff.

• At the worst point of the crisis, 593 people seeking protection were experiencing homelessness.
• 56 couples and seven single women have been forced to sleep rough.
• Over 450 people seeking protection who have been forced to rough sleep have contacted the Irish Refugee Council for support.
• Of those who contacted the Irish Refugee Council, 38% self-reported a physical or mental health concern.
• The Irish Refugee Council has supported three pregnant women who experienced homelessness, and dozens of people with serious physical and mental health conditions.
• The oldest person who presented at Irish Refugee Council as rough sleeping was 62 years old, and the youngest was 17.
• Of deep concern to the Irish Refugee Council are the cases of four unaccompanied children who have been forced to rough sleep for as long as six weeks, after being assessed as ineligible for State childcare services. Of the four children, two have since been taken into Tusla care having been finally found to be children. The other two have received evidence of their age and are awaiting re-assessments while currently living in adult accommodation.

The report shows that vulnerabilities and underlying health issues of people seeking protection have not been identified effectively by State agencies. Physical and mental health conditions deteriorate rapidly with time spent on the street.

Interviews with people forced to sleep rough show that the weekly payment of €38.80, and eligibility for Additional Needs Payment, is insufficient to meet a person’s means while experiencing homelessness. People are facing destitution as basic services, such as public transport are unaffordable. A weekly €50 voucher will not alleviate destitution.

I have met people living in these conditions.  It is heart breaking.

To read the report in full, please click here.

Sheila Curran rsm
Northern Province