On Tuesday, 24 January 2023, the Irish Government announced the temporary closure of Citywest transit hub to new International Protection Applicants.  

The government states that there is insufficient accommodation available for International Protection applicants, and the outlook for accommodation for people fleeing the war in Ukraine is also challenging. Owing to this situation, adults (including women) who apply for protection after the 24th of January and until further notice will not be provided with accommodation when they arrive in Ireland.  

If you apply for international protection and the Government cannot provide you with accommodation, they state that they will take your contact details and contact you as soon as accommodation becomes available.  

The Citywest Transit Hub will remain open for all other matters, including the processing of accommodation for Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). The International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) will continue to provide accommodation for international protection families with children. 

Contacting the IPAS: 

Please ensure that IPAS have your up-to-date contact information and are aware of any vulnerabilities you may have (such as serious illness, disability, etc.). You can contact them by email here: [email protected] 

Unless you can stay with family or friends or source your own accommodation, you will likely become street homeless for a period of time.  

What the Irish Refugee Council can and cannot do:  

If you wish to speak to a caseworker, please call our helpline or email us. We will deal with your query as best we can.  

There are homeless services that you can attend during the day. Please contact us for a list of these services.   

Our advocacy work: 

We have strongly criticised this decision. We have written to government ministers and secretary generals raising our deep concern, flagging this is a breach of Irish law. We have also recommended a range of mitigating measures to support people who are homeless. We have also done media interviews raising our concerns. 

Medical support:  

If you need urgent medical attention, please attend your closest Emergency Department or call 112 or 999.  

If you need non-urgent medical attention and you are in the Dublin area: 

The Capuchin Day Centre hosts free walk-in clinics. Please read here for more information and timings. 

This is an unprecedented situation, and we do not know how it will unfold. We are liaising with the government and our colleagues in homeless services about next steps but remain gravely concerned. 

This website will be updated regularly; please check back for updates.  

Date of posting: 26 January 2023