23 April 2021

The Irish Refugee Council has raised concerns about the number of people still being required to share a bedroom with non-family members while in Direct Provision during the pandemic. The figures were released in a response to a parliamentary question made by Catherine Connolly TD and state that as of the 31 March 2021 1,892 people were assigned a shared bedroom. Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said:

“It is deeply concerning that, one year and one month into the Covid-19 pandemic, 1,892 unrelated single people are required to share a bedroom. The figures are also an increase compared to April 2020 when 1,700 people shared a bedroom.”

“The figures demonstrate the need to end Direct Provision as soon as possible. This includes implementing the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision, the Catherine Day Advisory Group recommendations and the report of Campbell Tickell on alternatives to Direct Provision which we commissioned. The White Paper commits to own-room accommodation for single people initially in reception centres with wrap around supports and then in the community.”

“In addition, people living in Direct Provision should be prioritised for the vaccine as soon as practicable. HIQA stated in March 2021 that residents and staff in Direct Provision presented with an increased risk of infection of Covid-19, but comparable rates of severe disease relative to the general population.”

“This situation is also contrary to the advice given by the Chief Medical Officer last year and also recent Health Prevention Surveillance Centre guidance that people should socially distance while in Direct Provision.”

“Legal advice obtained by the Irish Refugee Council last year also stated that obligations on the Irish State during the pandemic included the provision of single or household occupancy accommodation as an essential measure to ensure social distancing and to limit the spread of the virus.”

ENDS

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NOTES FOR EDITORS:

  • Contact Nick Henderson, CEO, 0858585559
  • Catherine Connolly TD’s question and response is available here. The figures stated that, as of 31 March 2021, 1,171 people shared a room assigned to 2 people and 721 people shared a room assigned to 3 people.
  • The most recent Health Prevention Surveillance Centre data (published on the 21 April) states that there are nine current Covid-19 outbreaks in Direct Provision. Health Prevention Surveillance Centre guidance is available here.
  • HIQA reported in March 2021 that residents and staff of accommodation centres for international protection applicants and programme refugees presented with an increased risk of infection, but comparable rates of severe disease relative to the general population.
  • Standard 4.3.3. of the National Standards on Direct Provision states that: “the service provider will facilitate a single resident to apply for a single bedroom after 9 months. If you are a single resident, you can apply for a single bedroom after 9 months and should be given a single room within 15 months (in so far as it is possible).”
  • Implementing Alternatives to Direct Provision by Campbell Tickell and commissioned by the Irish Refugee Council
  • Ombudsman Report on Direct Provision 2020: “The Ombudsman’s stated position is that protection applicants should have own-door accommodation with adequate living space and access to their own cooking facilities. This would minimise the risk of spread of infection that the current model of housing people in communal facilities presents.”
  • Legal advice available here. The Advice was written by Michael Lynn SC and Ciaran Bracken BL obtained via the Public Interest Law Alliance a public interest law network that seeks to engage the legal community and civil society in using the law to advance social change.
  • The Irish Refugee Council report "Powerless" Experiences of Direct Provision during the Covid-19 pandemic is available here