Failing to screen asylum seekers for mental illness or other risks makes them a “danger to themselves and others”. 

That’s according to Irish Daily Mail Political Editor Craig Hughes, who reported today a service vetting vulnerable asylum seekers has been halted. 

Asylum seekers are supposed to be screened with 30 days of arrival by the International Protection Office (IPO) to screen for mental illness or investigate the possibility of human trafficking. 

“That would have an impact on the location they are sent to, particular at the moment when we are sending single men to the street,” he told The Pat Kenny Show. 

“Because of the extreme pressure on the system, which we have seen before our eyes, this process has halted since March.” 

The Government has issued a €6 million tender for the screening process to be outsourced, which they hope will be taken by the end of the year. 

For now, however, the situation remains “precarious” for many asylum seekers, according to Mr Hughes. 

“It is critical to a person's safety,” he said. “This does perhaps extend to the safety of the public. 

“If someone is suffering an acute mental illness, they could be a danger to themselves and others.” 

Asylum seekers on the streets

Mr Hughes said the situation is especially concerning as the number of homeless asylum seekers on the streets rise. 

“The Government should be screening those people and where someone is extremely vulnerable, they shouldn't be going to that setting,” he said. 

He pointed out that this screening process is different to the screening of criminal history, which uses a European database. 

There have been instances where this system has not worked, according to Mr Hughes, including an Iraqi man was convicted of sexual assault and allowed into the country. 

Ukrainian refugees

Reports of a lack of screening asylum seekers comes as Cabinet considers reducing the welfare allowance for Ukrainian refugees. 

Mr Hughes said this is likely part of Government “disincentives” to discourage more asylum seekers entering the country. 

“They’re reducing the levels of entitlements,” he said. “It will perhaps incentivise some Ukrainians to leave the jurisdiction.” 

The journalist pointed out that most Ukrainian refugees in Ireland have not been “abusing” the welfare system. 

Ireland welcomed an average of 87 asylum seekers per day in the seven days ending on May 5th - the highest number of weekly arrivals this year.