Accessing Accommodation

The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is responsible for accommodating you and all other International Protection Applicants. If you were refused accommodation when you applied for asylum, IPAS will have added you to their waiting list. IPAS will accommodate you on either of the following 2 grounds:

1. You have been identified as rough-sleeping, through outreach IPAS organise.
2. You have been waiting the longest.

IPAS will contact you by email with an offer of accommodation. We do not know how long this will take. Please check your email daily - make sure to check your junk/ spam folder. If you believe IPAS do not have your correct email address we recommend you write to them confirming your correct email address - you will then receive an automatic reply from IPAS. You must then wait for a further two emails from IPAS confirming they have your correct email address. You can contact IPAS at ipasinbox@justice.ie with your full name and Person ID number.

How can the Irish Refugee Council help?

Information & Support:

If you are homeless, our caseworkers can meet with you to discuss your situation, provide you with useful information and signpost you to other services. We can discuss any remedies available to you, and we can write to IPAS on your behalf.

If you would like to meet a caseworker, we have a clinic at our office every Thursday. No appointment is necessary. Please complete this form in advance.

Our address:

Irish Refugee Council

37 Killarney St

Dublin 1

D01 NX74

You can also call our Helpline on:

01 7645854

Our operating hours are Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays, between 10am - 1pm.

Or, you can email us at info@irishrefugeecouncil.ie. Our email inbox is monitored Monday to Friday.

Medical Assistance

If you are sick or unwell, you can access primary care health services for free at one
of the following clinics:

• SafetyNet Inclusion Hub - call 01 233 6990
• The Capuchin Day Centre, 29 Bow Street, Dublin 7, D07 WY43- Call 01 873 3301
• 13-14 Merchant’s Quay, Dublin 8, DO8 KT61
• 28 Pearse St, Dublin 2, D02 NA48

For further information, see here.

You should submit any documentation evidencing any medical conditions to IPAS. This may result in quicker access to accommodation.
In case of a medical emergency, dial 999 or 112 for an ambulance.

Social Welfare

As an international protection applicant experiencing homelessness you can can access certain social welfare services. You must first however obtain a Personal Public Service (PPS) number which is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits, public services and information in Ireland. Below are a number of steps you will need to follow:

1. You can collect your PPS number 4 working days after you applied for asylum at the IPO. You can collect your PPS number and apply for the payments at your nearest Community Welfare Service. For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you access community welfare services through Elizabeth O'Farrell House, North Cumberland St, Dublin 1.
2. You can then apply for a weekly payment of 113.80 euro. To be eligible for this payment you must prove that you are on the IPAS waiting list for accommodation. This can be done using the letter provided to you by IPAS, upon arrival. If you cannot find this, you should email IPAS to request an up to date version: ipasinbox@justice.ie
3. You can also apply for an Additional Needs Payment. This is apayment that you may apply for if you have essential expenses that you cannot pay from your weekly income or other sources.

Homeless Day Services

Please be aware that Homeless services are not responsible for providing accommodation to International Protection Applicants; this is the responsibility of IPAS.

Homeless day services across Dublin city centre can however help you with breakfast, lunch, dinner, showers, change of clothing, tents and sleeping bags, for free.

The services have different opening hours, starting from 8am and finishing at 10pm. Please click on the links for more information.

Booking a Tourist Hostel

While you are waiting to be accommodated you may be able to source private accommodation, such as a hostel.

If you do source private accommodation you can apply for further financial assistance through the Department of Social Protection's Supplementary Allowance scheme. You will need to apply for an Additional Needs Payment at your nearest Community Welfare Service. For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you access community welfare services through Elizabeth O'Farrell House, North Cumberland St, Dublin 1.

It is important to note that Additional Needs Payments are issued at the discretion of department deciding officers. As a result, rates may vary, payments issued may not cover your total costs, and your application may be refused entirely.

Deciding officers may ask that you book your accommodation first so that they can then refund you. If you do not have the means to do so, we recommend you explain this to staff in the Department of Social Protection and/ or attend our Thursday clinic (or email us at: info@irishrefugeecouncil.ie)

Prices for hostel style accommodations vary but you might find a bed costing between 25-30 euro per night. Prices for holidays and weekends are often considerably higher. Check Booking.com and Hostel World to see prices and availability. We recommend you keep receipts (evidence of payments). These will be helpful in your applications for Additional Needs Payments.

It is important to note that tourist hostels will most likely refuse you if you do not have a national ID (such as a passport, driving license, or a national ID card from your home country).

Postal Address / Proof of Address

An Post Address Point:

An Post Address Point is a free service that provides a fixed address to those experiencing homelessness. You can use a local post office as an address to receive post. . To get your address, please register here. It is very easy. See the picture below.
Once a week, visit your chosen Post Office to check if there is post for you. The Post Office will keep your post for 10 days and then it is returned to the sender. Please bring your PPS card with you to collect your post.

Proof of Address:

If you are receiving a social welfare payment, you can contact your Community Welfare Service and request that they issue you with a social welfare statement to your An Post address. You will then receive a government issued letter with your name and address. This letter can be used as a proof of address. For those residing in Dublin, we recommend you email your community welfare service at: hpu@welfare.ie

Legal Aid

You may be entitled to free legal representation throughout the international protection process under the legal aid board's free legal aid scheme.
To apply, you need to complete an application form and submit it to the nearest relevant Legal Aid Board, details of which you can find here.
Details for the Dublin Law Centre:
48/49 North Brunswick Street Smithfield Dublin D07 PE0C
Phone: (01) 6469600 Email: lawcentresmithfield@legalaidboard.ie


Designated Safe Country of Origin

For applicants from a designated "Safe" country of origin, we recommend you apply for legal aid as soon as possible. The IPO will probably inform you of the date for your substantive interview on the day you apply for asylum. Legal representation is important in the context of your section 35 or Substantive interview, as well as any appeals you may wish to submit to the International Protection Appeals Tribunal (IPAT). For more information on designated safe countries see our information hub here.

Reaccommodation

If you were previously in the IPAS accommodation system but are now homeless, you may seek reaccommodation by emailing IPAS directly: ipasinbox@equality.gov.ie. Below is an outline of this process.

1. Email IPAS making sure to write 'reaccommodation' in the subject line. Include your name and person ID in the email and explain that you are seeking reaccommodation.
2. You will receive an automatic response immediately with the ticket number for your request.
3. Some time after this (possibly days) you will receive a further email stating that 'Your email has been noted and has been assigned to the relevant section within the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) for attention and reply.'
4. Some time after this (possibly days), and unless otherwise provided you will receive a third email from IPAS asking you to sign a Declaration of Means form.
5. Provided you submit a signed declaration of means form you will then be offered an accommodation.
6. You will then need to confirm whether or not you accept this offer.
7. Accepting the offer does not mean you can go there immediately. You will need to wait for IPAS to finally email you with a transfer letter.

For information on your rights to, and within, IPAS centres you can email us at: info@irishrefugeecouncil.ie