Direct Provision and the Refugee Application Process in Ireland
Direct provision can be portrayed one way online, and show a completely different reality when you talk to those living in it.
In this post we share some key definitions around direct provision, the asylum seeker process and share some facts around the reality of living in direct provision.
What is Direct Provision?
By definition Direct Provision is a means of meeting the basic needs of food and shelter for asylum seekers directly while their claims for refugee status are being processed rather than through full cash payments. (RIA)
Who is an asylum seeker?
An asylum seeker is someone who is seeking international protection but whose claim for refugee status has not yet been determined.
Reasons that qualify someone to apply for asylum
People can seek asylum If they are unable to return to their home country because of fear of persecution, personal safety or they are unable to get protection from the authorities.
Reasons of persecution which can lead to people seeking asylum can include:
race
religion
nationality
political opinion
membership of a particular group/gender
gender identity and/or
sexual orientation
In essence, any unjustified reason which results in the individual being marginalised from society.
Who grants asylum in Ireland?
It is the responsibility of the Irish State, not the UNHCR, to decide who is granted asylum in Ireland. Applicants must submit an asylum application to the International Protection Office, (IPO), and this is only possible when in Ireland. (UNHCR, Ireland)
The IPO will review each case and if it is successful, the Minister for Justice and Equality will confirm that the person is entitled to asylum.
Other protections offered
Subsidiary protection: a status offered to those who are not granted which offers refugees very similar as an Irish citizen. If you are at risk of serious harm if sent home, you can stay in Ireland and your application can be reviewed.
Permission to Remain: if you are not granted refugee status or subsidiary protection, you may remain in Ireland for humanitarian or other reasons, and are given the same rights as an Irish citizen. (INIS)
How to apply for asylum in Ireland
A person can only make a claim for asylum at the port of entry, to the IPO. It’s a lengthy process, explained below.
Initial interview
The person is asked questions like: Do you want to make a claim for asylum? if so on what grounds?
They will then be questioned on identity, nationality and journey to Ireland. Photographs and fingerprints are taken. (fingerprints are shared with EURODAC to determine whether you or your family have previously applied for asylum in another EEA country) (NASC)
''Ireland has created a system that boils the process of seeking asylum down to its essence: waiting.'’ Masha Gessen (The New Yorker)
The process - 'the waiting game'
When a person arrives, the International Protection Officer will refer them to the Reception of Integration Agency, and taken to the reception centre in the Dublin area. The should only be for a short period of time, until the RIA finds you a place in a direct provision centre. The person is medically assessed and screened by an immigration officer.
Once this process is complete:
You are also given a temporary residence certificate and can apply for a PPS number.
Asylum seekers are NOT required to live in direct provision centres. But if you do not avail of this option you have to source your own accommodation and will receive no accommodation allowance from the government. You will still receive the Daily expense allowance. (€29.80 children, €39.80 adults, per week)
You also have to seek legal advice to fill out a long questionnaire called the Application for International Protection Questionnaire followed by more interviews. (free legal service with the Legal Aid Board)
The Right to work: since June 2018, applicants who have been waiting for a first instance decision for at least 9 months are eligible to work in Ireland. A first instance decision is one by the IPO as to whether or not you should be declared a refugee or not. (NASC)
Unaccompanied children
A child under the age of 18 arriving in Ireland will be referred to the Child and Family Agency (Tusla). Tusla will then help the minor apply for asylum, and are responsible for the general care and well-being of the child. (citizens information Ireland)
The reality of direct provision in Ireland
Up until the 1990s, Ireland took in very few refugees. At the turn of the century, asylum applications in Ireland were escalating and the government set up the direct provision system in response to the global refugee crisis. Direct provision was introduced as an emergency measure in 1999, to offer applicants short-term accommodation.
Twenty years later, the system still remains and is widely criticised by human rights defenders as inadequate, degrading and inhumane.
Asylum seekers were intended to stay in DP for 6 months, people end up spending several years in the system.
Each centre is different meaning some provide worse conditions than others.
Over 1000 people have spent over 4 years in direct provision. 40% spend more than 2 years in direct provision.
⅓ those in direct provision are children.
The system systematically segregates asylum seekers from Irish society; placing them on the outskirts of towns, where no people of colour live, making it inherently difficult for them to integrate into society.
Food is minimalistic, repetitive and can often run out in some centres.
Access to basic goods can be challenging: school clothes, hygiene products, leapcards etc.
The mental health of people in direct provision is proven to be very poor - ‘creating broken people in direct provision'. (Barry Whyte, Newstalk)
Want more information?
Reading up online about direct provision is the first step in understanding the shortcomings of the system. Once we understand the shortcomings, we can then provide solutions. Here are some more resources that will help you develop a fuller picture!
Tumis Story:
Tumi goes through her experience in Direct Provision, and you can listen to her experience here. The full story can be found through this link or on our Instagram. We are releasing more stories from people in DP so be sure to follow and stay tuned.
AbolishDP
Showcase accounts of people in Direct Provision and provide an excellent account of what is happening in DP right now. Visit their site here.
Infomigrants
Factual, bullet point explanation of what happens to Asylum seekers who enter Ireland. Visit their site here.
Doras
Really informative page on the changes that have been made so far in ending direct provision! Includes links to reports too. Visit their site here.
Irish Refugee Council
Provides in-depth reports on the current experience of people within DP, including concerning reports on their experiences with Covid-19. Visit their site here.
Help with Let’s Help Direct Provision!
At the moment we are coming into the winter and will be fundraising to carry out our Christmas Drops. You can donate to us through our Patreon here. We are looking for people to donate to us monthly so we can continue providing drops all year round. If you would like to make a one time donation you can do so though here.
Thank you for reading and feel free to contact us with any questions!