Released 29 November 2024

• Irish Refugee Council report (IRC) outlines harrowing experiences faced by volunteers and protection applicants
• Volunteer testimony indicates approach of Gardaí often increased the risk of violence for protection applicants
• IRC calls on Government to accommodate people and urgently implement a series of new measures for people who are homeless

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In a report launched today, titled ‘If I Don’t Do This, Then It Won’t Be Done - Volunteering with Homeless Protection Applicants’, volunteers detail the harrowing conditions they face while supporting protection applicants on Dublin’s streets.

Volunteers provide critical support to homeless protection applicants, who have complex needs unmet by the state. The report surveyed 49 volunteers assisting those seeking protection between January 2023 and October 2024, either on the streets of Dublin or in state-run emergency accommodation.

Testimony gathered reveals that volunteers, 67% of whom are women, are regularly subjected to harassment, stalking, abuse, and violence from anti migrant and far right groups. Incidents described include one volunteer being punched in the face and another receiving threats to have their throat slit.

Far-right agitators claim to be safeguarding women from protection applicants. However, female volunteers report their safety is most often threatened by individuals who are  harassing and intimidating the applicants they are assisting.

As of Friday the 22 November 2024 there are a record 2,914 protection applicants awaiting an offer of accommodation.

Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said:

“The report reflects a situation where a person is required to sleep rough to prove eligibility for accommodation thereby putting themselves at risk. The alternative is that a person tries to find temporary accommodation, but this can be precarious and possibly place them in an exploitative situation. By doing so, they may be deemed self-accommodated and lose eligibility. Meanwhile volunteers undertake a huge amount of work: communicating with people, locating them, giving them information and support almost on a 24 hour basis. This also puts those volunteers at risk: they face hostility, threats and filming. An added layer of concern is the imminent winter. We call on government to accommodate people and, in the interim, drastically improve the measures provided to homeless protection applicants.”

Key Findings

The report also highlights the critical role played by members of the public and the unsustainable and harmful nature of the state’s response to the homelessness crisis among protection applicants. This approach has subjected applicants and local communities alike to abuse and violence, particularly by far-right groups.

When such violence occurs, volunteers report that An Garda Síochána lacks the training and knowledge to respond effectively, often exacerbating risks to safety.

A further contradiction in the state’s approach is evident in its provision of tents and sleeping bags to applicants, only for other state agencies to confiscate or destroy these items shortly afterward.

Recommendations

Considering these findings, the IRC has issued an urgent call for a comprehensive response to the needs of homeless international protection applicants. The key recommendations are as follows:

Adopt a Whole-of-Government Approach

A strategy led by the Department of An Taoiseach should aim to end street homelessness in line with Ireland’s legal obligations. It should address accommodation and support needs currently being managed by community volunteers.

Enhance the Cold Weather Emergency Plan

Expand the plan to ensure no one is forced to sleep outdoors in dangerously low temperatures, going beyond temporary measures during extreme weather warnings.

Revise Referral Process

Develop more practical and efficient systems, including a warm, accessible 24-hour drop-in centre, to replace reliance on outreach workers meeting applicants at tents.

Foster Collaboration with Community Volunteer Groups

Establish structured partnerships with community groups supporting international protection applicants.

Define a Clear Role for An Garda Síochána

Equip Gardaí with adequate training and knowledge of the rights of protection applicants under Irish law to ensure consistent and effective engagement.

Improve Emergency Accommodation

Replace tents with permanent or modular structures and ensure emergency sites offer essential services, including hygiene, warmth, and cooking facilities.

Increase Financial Support

Adjust the Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) and Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) to reflect the basic needs of homeless applicants. The High Court ruled in August 2024 that current DEA levels are insufficient. SWA should enable individuals to access hostels or private accommodation when available.

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Note to editors

• The report, If I Don’t Do This, Then It Won’t Be Done-Volunteering with Homeless Protection Applicants, is available here.
• Video summary of the report is available here.
  
  

Survey Methodology:

Conducted online in October 2024.

Participants were recruited from closed WhatsApp groups of community volunteers.

The survey gathered:

• Demographic information.
• Details of volunteer activities.
• Personal investments of time and money.
• Perspectives on challenges faced by protection applicants.
• Feedback on state support and interactions with state bodies.
• Reports on harassment incidents and Gardaí responses.
• Responses were anonymised and analysed using rapid qualitative analysis, revealing a high degree of consensus.

Respondents:

• 49 volunteers participated.
• All had volunteered with people seeking protection on the streets of Dublin or in State-run emergency accommodation between January 2023 and October 2024.

Volunteer Demographics:

• Gender: Two-thirds of respondents were women (67.3%).
• Age: Roughly a third were aged 50–64, and another third were aged 18–34.

 Background context:

• The Irish Refugee Council's June 2023 report that captures the impact of homelessness among international protection applicants, “Now I live on the road,” is available here. 
• Since December 2023 we have met and supported more than 400 homeless international protection applicants.  
• Irish Refugee Council published an Accommodation Recommendations and Briefing Paper in December 2023 and is available here. 
• The High Court's April 2023 judgment of Justice Meenan is here. 
• The High Court’s December 2023 judgement of Justice Ferriter is here. Justice Ferriter stated: “As the review of the relevant law contained in this judgment makes clear, as a matter of EU law (as transposed into Irish law), the State remains under a continuing, mandatory obligation to provide international protection applicants with basic needs including accommodation on an uninterrupted basis from the point at which qualifying persons apply for international protection.” 
• Applicants were represented by the Irish Refugee Council Independent Law Centre in both cases. 

For more information contact:

Nick Henderson, CEO, [email protected] 

Wendy Muperi, Communications Officer, [email protected]