Asylum seekers have been moved back onto the streets of Dublin after receiving temporary accommodation during heavy snowfall last week.

Irish Refugee Council CEO Nick Henderson said it was an “appalling” decision as the Government has shown it has the capacity to house asylum seekers but chooses not to use it.

Over 1,000 asylum seekers are now without accommodation in the State, with over 100 camping outside the International Protection Office (IPO) on Mount Street in Dublin.

Weather

Mr Henderson said we are now in a “crisis situation” that has been exacerbated by recent weather.

“We are really concerned that people who were taken off the streets on Friday evening (March 1st) have been told accommodation is no longer available to them,” he told Newstalk.

“From our perspective, that’s appalling, and we believe the fact that people were accommodated shows there is capacity within the system while the Government states there is none.

“Given people were accommodated, and the number of vacancies within the IPAS and Ukrainian refugee system that has been reported on – we think there is accommodation for people.”

'Horrendous'

Mr Henderson described the situation outside the IPO as “horrendous”.

“It’s become particularly bad there since the snow on Friday,” he said.

“The tents they were living in are in terrible condition now.

“They are sodden, damp, snow damaged and the thaw and rain that followed Friday has damaged them even further – we’re really concerned by this situation.”

Tents are seen under snow outside the International Protection Office in Dublin city, 1-3-24. Image: Irish Refugee Council

During the cold snap, asylum seekers were housed at City West Convention Centre, the Central Mental Hospital and another location in North Dublin.

Working

Mr Henderson said he agreed with recent calls by Minister of State Neale Richmond that asylum seekers should be allowed to work two months after arriving in the country.

“We would support that,” he said.

“In our experience, some people wouldn’t be able or feel ready to work [so soon] but some people in the protection process would like to pay back, contribute to society, and work.”

Mr Henderson also said it’s “about high time” that government departments, other than the Department of Integration, play their role in accommodating asylum seekers.

Reporting by Sheila Naughton. 

Main image: Tents housing asylum seekers pictured outside the International Protection Office in Dublin. Image: Newstalk/ Barry Whyte