Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Equality, Immigration and Integration, Fiona O’Loughlin, has said that ad-hoc emergency accommodation arrangements are not suitable for asylum seekers and are only compounding an already traumatic situation.
Deputy O’Loughlin questioned why some direct provision centres across the country are dangerously over-crowded while others have spare capacity and said that there needs to be a move away from ad hoc solutions towards more predictable and sustainable measures.
Deputy O’Loughlin said “Emergency accommodation in hotels and hostels not operating as direct provision centres is not a viable option for anyone, not for families and not for asylum seekers.
“Information I received shows that Mosney in Co. Meath is home to some 732 asylum seekers despite a capacity of just 600. On the other hand, Hatch Hall in Co. Dublin has capacity for 220 people but there are only 174 staying there.
“In other instances, asylum seekers are being temporarily housed in hotels and hostels outside of the direct provision network. These makeshift arrangements are totally unsuitable for those who have fled their home country, seeking the protection of another. Some people are waking up not knowing where they will be going to sleep that night.
“The over-reliance on charities and volunteers to provide for asylum seekers is not acceptable. Just recently we learned that Doras Luimní, a human rights NGO in Limerick, have been providing laundry services for weeks to 30 asylum seekers in a local hotel.
“While Irish people are famed for their generosity and kindness, the Government cannot take advantage of this and should be providing the basic services for asylum seekers. We have over 6,000 men, women and children in direct provision in Ireland – but our system is not fit for purpose”, she concluded.
