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  • Irish Refugee Council highlight four priorities for action as new Dáil term begins

    Irish Refugee Council highlight four priorities for action as new Dáil term begins

    Read more

  • New 2020 annual report on Ireland's protection process

    New 2020 annual report on Ireland's protection process

    Read more

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

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

    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

  • Irish Refugee Council highlight four priorities for action as new Dáil term begins
  • New 2020 annual report on Ireland's protection process
  • "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision During the Covid-19 Pandemic
  • 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:
Irish Refugee Council highlight four priorities for action as new Dáil term begins

Irish Refugee Council highlight four priorities for action as new Dáil term begins

Read more

Published: 14th September, 2021

Author: Nicholas Henderson

"Hanging on a Thread" Delays in the Irish Protection Process

Read more

Published: 6th July, 2021

Updated: 7th July, 2021

Author: Nicholas Henderson

New 2020 annual report on Ireland's protection process

New 2020 annual report on Ireland's protection process

Read more

Published: 25th April, 2021

Updated: 11th May, 2021

Author: Vikki Walshe

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: Nicholas Henderson

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

Read more

Published: 5th August, 2020

Updated: 10th August, 2020

Author: Nicholas Henderson

Report: The Reception Conditions Directive: One Year On, July 2019

Report: The Reception Conditions Directive: One Year On, July 2019

Read more

Published: 14th July, 2019

Updated: 7th April, 2022

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

This report provides analysis of key elements of the Reception Conditions Directive, situates them in the Irish context and presents recommendations for transposition in line with international standards. Read more

Published: 10th March, 2018

Updated: 25th November, 2021

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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  • Press Release: Irish Refugee Council begins its 30th year with a call for Ireland and EU to support all people seeking asylum in Ireland

    Press Release: Irish Refugee Council begins its 30th year with a call for Ireland and EU to support all people seeking asylum in Ireland

  • Play for Ukraine

    Play for Ukraine

    St Pats GAA would love to raise funds to help Ukrainian refugees feel some sense of safety in our country.
    Imagine having to leave your home country not by choice, lose or be forced to leave loved ones giving up everything that you have worked hard for.

    To help us raise funds please donate 25 euro to play our GAA match at St Pats Donabate (at 5pm on 29th May) or if playing GAA is not your thing donate anything you wish to support the event. Every little helps!!!

  • Kelly Sisters run VHI Women's Mini Marathon in Support of Irish Refugee Council

    Kelly Sisters run VHI Women's Mini Marathon in Support of Irish Refugee Council

    The Irish Refugee Council provides invaluable services and support for people seeking protection and people recognised as refugees - people who have to flee their home country, as it is no longer safe for them to be there.

    Their mission is to promote and protect the rights of people seeking protection and those recognised as refugees in Ireland.

    As war rages in the Ukraine, their work and the support they provide has never been more important.

Most read

  • Ukraine information note (updated 14 April)

    Ukraine information note (updated 14 April)

  • Vacancies

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  • Donate to support refugees from Ukraine

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  • Ukrainian language information helpline/Інформаційна лінія українською мовою

    Ukrainian language information helpline/Інформаційна лінія українською мовою

  • Information note: 2022 regularisation scheme now open

    Information note: 2022 regularisation scheme now open

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Our response to the Covid-19 pandemic

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Published: 27th April, 2020

Updated: 12th June, 2020

Author: Nicholas Henderson

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