Asylum seekers face sleeping on street as Government likely to run out of accommodation spaces this week
It is understood Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman raised the matter at Cabinet on Tuesday and outlined to Ministers the capacity constraints with accommodation. File picture: Larry Cummins
Asylum seekers face sleeping on the street as the Government is likely to run out of accommodation spaces this week, senior sources have said.
Government sources have said there are now “serious concerns” about the safety of international protection applicants who will arrive into the country this week and they may end up sleeping on the street. Sources said these concerns have now intensified in the wake of the riots in Dublin on Thursday.
It is understood Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman raised the matter at Cabinet on Tuesday and outlined to Ministers the capacity constraints with accommodation.
Senior sources have said there is a “real risk” asylum seekers will have to sleep in tents on the streets again - like what occurred earlier this year outside of the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) centre in Dublin city.
Women and children will be prioritised for shelter, but the Government will likely not be able to offer single-men accommodation later this week.
The Department of Integration has struggled to procure accommodation for international protection applicants in recent weeks with senior sources highlighting that recent protests have had a significant impact on their ability to secure both the continuation of services and new accommodation.
“There are now significant concerns about their safety in the case they end up sleeping on the street,” a source said in light of the narrative that has emerged and which also fuelled the violence and riots on Thursday night.
Another source said it is “not an exaggeration” that the Government will not be able to offer accommodation to asylum seekers later this week.
The Government is working on contingency plans and it is understood the use of sports halls and community centres is under consideration for use.
A source said the Department of Integration has “exhausted” the use of tented accommodation across the country.
Officials are also conscious of the use of tented accommodation in the cold winter months.
Speaking to reporters, Tánaiste Micheál Martin said that he would be "very concerned" for asylum seekers, regardless of whether or not there is accommodation available.
"I would be concerned for their safety in any situation," Mr Martin said.
"We had some indications last week there were people, every now and then, holding protests outside various centres which is unacceptable given the terror that can create for people, anxiety and fear.
"That applies in any particular context, but obviously in a homeless context... We're very conscious of that."
Mr Martin said that the government were "very conscious" of the pressures on accommodation.
He added that Mr O'Gorman is looking at measures to ensure that the state does not run out of accommodation.
"It is a challenging situation."
