Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle. I am glad to have the opportunity to raise this issue which is causing a lot of stress and concern to those affected who are living in direct provision.

We are aware of the difficulties and the issues in direct provision, some of which are being addressed. There have been improvements, but there are other issues ongoing.

This most recent controversy concerns those letters that have been sent to some asylum seekers. Some of them are on deportation orders. Some are waiting on the outcomes. There are some whose status has been resolved. Basically, they have to leave where they have been living.

Of course, this marks a major shift in Government policy. It also marks what can only be described as a lack of compassion and humanity. Those who received the letters were given a certain date by which they had to leave. The letters inform the mainly single, male asylum seekers that the Reception and Integration Agency, RIA, has no role in the provision of accommodation for persons once a decision has been made on their application. Some of those who received the letters telling them to leave have been subject to deportation orders for several years, orders that have not been effected. Some are from countries to which we really could not deport anyone. Until now, the RIA has housed asylum seekers subject to deportation orders, but the recent letter means that it is now reneging on what is set out in the 2010 value for money and policy review, which reads as follows: "The RIA accommodates persons at every stage of the asylum process and beyond that to a point of resolution of the case. The RIA will accommodate persons who have effectively failed the asylum process ... and that accommodation will only cease where a deportation order or other removal has been effected".

What we are seeing is pushing more and more people into homelessness, emergency accommodation or rough sleeping. The directive will increase the numbers of homeless persons at a time when the homelessness figures are rising. We do not need additional homeless persons. The agencies and local authorities working with the homeless are already overstretched. They do not have enough accommodation to house the people who are on their lists.

I understand the principle behind this move, which is to get people out of the direct provision system, which is what the people themselves want. However, the unintended consequence is that such persons are moving into homelessness. I have met one gentleman living in direct provision accommodation who earnestly wants to move into private rented accommodation. He has told me about the call after call and visit after visit he has made looking for accommodation, all of which have been unsuccessful. Another gentleman has had refugee status for over a year, but he has been unable to find accommodation. He has been looking in places other than Dublin but to no avail.

Asylum seekers, including those subject to deportation orders, have no entitlement to social welfare payments. There also appears to be a problem for those outside the direct provision system in accessing homeless services. Of course, once they leave the direct provision system, they do not receive the weekly allowance of €21.60. The housing assistance payment, HAP, scheme has been beneficial for some, but in reality, if Irish people with families and connections are finding it difficult to find a landlord to accept housing assistance payments, one can only imagine the difficulties involved for someone subject to a deportation order. Surely, there is a duty of care on the part of the Department to those who are claiming asylum, many of whom have fled horrific circumstances in their country of origin. That duty of care should last until a person is granted asylum or leave to remain, leaves voluntarily or is deported.

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