Approved refugees in Ireland remain stuck in State accommodation due to barriers such as housing supply and language issues. 

According to a new report from the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the European Migrant Network (EMN), as of January 2024, almost 6,000 people with international protection status were still in Government-provided housing. 

This was approximately 22% of the total residents, a significant increase from 14% of approved refugees in State accommodation in 2020. 

As of May 2024, there are over 1,800 homeless asylum seekers without recognition. 

EMN member and report co-author Keire Murphy said this blockage in the refugee housing process creates problems for many groups. 

“The system isn’t able to provide for some people while other people who should be able to move are stuck,” she told Newstalk Breakfast. 

Ms Murphy said there are larger economic barriers such as Ireland’s continued housing crisis, but also barriers specific to refugees. 

“There are specific issues like language barriers,” she said. 

“[It’s a] more specific challenge around developing capacity to manage inward migration.” 

The report also noted barriers such as discrimination by landlords, psychological issues and a lack of information about finding housing. 

Removing barriers for refugees

There are several solutions to increasing the flow of housing for refugees, according to Ms Murphy. 

“There are obviously long-term mainstream changes like increasing supply of social and affordable housing,” she said. 

“There are also quicker fixes like increasing clarity and coordination about what are the rights and entitlements of this group. 

“[It’s about] improving coordination and having protocols for how you deal with this group.” 

The report also noted some “good practices” for housing asylum seekers, including permanent integration teams in local authorities funded by the Department of Integration. 

It also praised “community integration forums” set up to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic that have been repurposed to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees.