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  • "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic

    "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic

    Read more

  • Asylum Information Database, new 2019 report available

    Asylum Information Database, new 2019 report available

    Read more

  • Report warns Ireland in breach of EU law

    Report warns Ireland in breach of EU law

    We called on the State to fulfill its obligations under the Reception Conditions Directive Read more

  • "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic
  • Asylum Information Database, new 2019 report available
  • Report warns Ireland in breach of EU law
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  1. Home
  2. Asylum Policy

Asylum Policy

At the Irish Refugee Council, we advocate for best practice reception conditions that recognise and safeguard the dignity of people seeking protection set out under the European Union Reception Conditions Directive (RCD). 

The RCD aims at ensuring better and more harmonized standards of reception conditions for people seeking protection throughout the European Union. It provides a framework for an asylum system with the minimum dignified standards of living for all recipients of reception conditions including access to housing, food, clothing, healthcare, education for minors and employment as well as the provision of adequate information and mainstream services. 

Despite the RCD coming into force in Ireland in 2018, little has changed in practice. Our report The Reception Conditions Directive: One Year On found Ireland failing to meet legal obligations for, in particular:

  • No vulnerability assessments are place for people with special reception needs
  • 936 people seeking asylum are living in emergency accommodation and struggle to access adequate services and support 
  • Although 30% of the adult population of Direct Provision has been employed or self-employed, significant barriers to work remain

The report also contains recommendations for improvements in service delivery and the vindication of rights for people applying for international protection in Ireland including: 

  • Ending of Emergency accommodation as soon as possible with the urgent removal of all children from this type of accommodation 
  • Those currently living in emergency accommodation to receive full access to material reception conditions including healthcare, food, the DEA as well as points of contact for assistance services 
  • Provision of information to all recipients on their rights and entitlements as well as what to expect while living in Ireland and in Direct Provision accommodation 
  • Immediate issuing of the Temporary Residence Certificate by the International Protection Office
  • Provision of Legal aid for reception appeals 
  • Vulnerability assessments for all people seeking asylum carried out within 30 days with particular protocols for care in place for those suffering with serious mental health issues 
  • Establishment of an inter-departmental taskforce to oversee of the implementation of the regulations ensuring the State lives up to it’s 47 legal obligations under the RCD
  • Greater engagement at EU-level on reform of the RCD and the Common European Asylum System(CEAS)

In line with the our strategic objectives, we continue to monitor and push for the full implementation of the RCD holding Ireland to account while continuing to present sound research and constructive solutions to bring about positive change for all those seeking protection in Ireland.

Read more about our policy work:
Call for urgent implementation of vulnerability assessment, two years after it became mandatory

Call for urgent implementation of vulnerability assessment, two years after it became mandatory

Read more

Published: 5th November, 2020

Updated: 16th November, 2020

Author: Nick Henderson

"Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic

Read more

Published: 5th August, 2020

Updated: 10th August, 2020

Author: Nick Henderson

Asylum Information Database, new 2019 report available

Asylum Information Database, new 2019 report available

Read more

Published: 8th June, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

The Reception Conditions Directive: One Year On

The Reception Conditions Directive: One Year On

Read more

Published: 14th July, 2019

Updated: 14th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Report warns Ireland in breach of EU law

Report warns Ireland in breach of EU law

We called on the State to fulfill its obligations under the Reception Conditions Directive Read more

Published: 12th July, 2019

Updated: 14th April, 2020

Author:

Recommendations on the Transposition of the EU recast Reception Conditions Directive

Recommendations on the Transposition of the EU recast Reception Conditions Directive

Read more

Published: 10th March, 2018

Updated: 14th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

A Chance for Change: The Single Protection Procedure

A Chance for Change: The Single Protection Procedure

Read more

Published: 9th April, 2017

Updated: 14th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

Direct Provision: Framing an alternative reception system for people seeking international protection

Direct Provision: Framing an alternative reception system for people seeking international protection

Proposal presenting an alternative reception system for people seeking international protection in Ireland Read more

Published: 24th April, 2013

Updated: 24th April, 2020

Author: Vikki Walshe

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  • Irish Refugee Council raise concerns about increasing delays in the Irish protection process

    Irish Refugee Council raise concerns about increasing delays in the Irish protection process

  • 11 March: Irish Refugee Council welcome announcement on reduced education fees

    11 March: Irish Refugee Council welcome announcement on reduced education fees

  • Joint Statement: EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

    Joint Statement: EU Pact on Migration and Asylum

  • Submission to the Oireachtas Covid-19 response committee

    Submission to the Oireachtas Covid-19 response committee

  • 17 February: Call for Land Development Agency mandate to include accommodation for people seeking protection

    17 February: Call for Land Development Agency mandate to include accommodation for people seeking protection

  • Move Most Vulnerable Out of Direct Provision Centres Now

    Move Most Vulnerable Out of Direct Provision Centres Now

    Infectious Disease Specialist urges Government to remove most at risk in Direct Provision centres immediately and labels the facilities ‘Powder Kegs’.

  • Press release: Irish Refugee Council welcome White Paper, focus now on implementation

    Press release: Irish Refugee Council welcome White Paper, focus now on implementation

  • Vacancies

    Vacancies

    Vacancy: Youth Worker (Maternity Leave Cover)

  • Budget 2021 submission

    Budget 2021 submission

  • Contact us

    Contact us

Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic

Read more

Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 12th June, 2020

Author: Nick Henderson

Latest tweet

  • RT @sineadgibney: What would you do without a bank account? @_IHREC Following @bankofireland, all of Ireland’s high street banks can… https://t.co/zycrvtb94O

    12thApril, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • RT @jodyhclarke: Conditions for refugees arriving on the islands are "precarious... bordering on inhumane", says @refugees… https://t.co/iJDD0g4v6F

    12thApril, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
  • RT @WhitmoreJen: It would be completely unacceptable if these children lost their opportunity for safety in Ireland because we could… https://t.co/RymtPrRLGf

    11thApril, 2021 @IrishRefugeeCo
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