Asylum seekers living in tents on the street and in parks is the “inevitable consequence” of not providing them with accommodation, the Jesuit Refugee Service has claimed. 

Yesterday, the Government moved asylum seekers living along the Grand Canal in Dublin to alternative accommodation in a multi-agency operation. 

All tents in the area were removed but since then more have sprung up along the canal, as well as in East Wall and Ringsend.

Speaking to Newstalk Breakfast, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland National Director Eugene Quinn said he was not surprised to hear the news. 

“I think it’s an inevitable consequence of the current policy of not offering accommodation to people,” he said. 

“I suppose if you look at the numbers since that policy of not offering accommodation to single males seeking asylum in Ireland started in December, 3,000 haven’t been offered accommodation [and] about 1,200 were subsequently offered accommodation. 

“So, there’s about 1,800; I think the rough rule of thumb is about one in six end up on the street.”

Tents under the Mac Mahon Bridge over the Grand Canal. Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie

In the first four months of this year, the number of asylum seekers increased by 95% in comparison to 2023. 

However, for some time the Government has struggled to source accommodation for all new arrivals. 

“If that policy continues and we’re seeing it reported today that there’s record numbers arriving over the last couple of weeks, there’s an inevitability that when people can’t access homeless accommodation… there will be a portion of people who end up on the streets and they’ll have no other choice but to set up in tents,” Mr Quinn said. 

Migrants being moved on from the Grand Canal. 09/05/2024. Image: Newstalk

Many people have been moved to State-built tented accommodation in Crooksling but Mr Quinn said there are issues with overcrowding on that site as well.

“The tents at Crooksling, they’re eight-men Army tents that are currently accommodating 12,” he said. 

“So, there’s six bunk beds in there; I think we all welcome that people aren’t on the streets, so that people have toilets, showers, laundry and access to phone charging. 

“But it really is only a short-term solution… you need to move them on into something more substantial than that.” 

Tánaiste Micheál Martin said the Government is “determined” to solve the issue of asylum seeker accommodation but noted they are dealing with unprecedented numbers. 

Main image: Tents belonging to people seeking international protection which have been set up under the Mac Mahon Bridge over the Grand Canal. Photograph: Leah Farrell / © RollingNews.ie