The Challenges Faced By Refugees

Lengthy Asylum Process

Applications for international protection can take months or even years to process, leaving applicants in limbo. This uncertainty about the future causes significant anxiety and distress.

Accommodation Challenges

Many people seeking international protection in Ireland live in Direct Provision centres, which now come in many forms and includes converted office blocks to tented accommodation-leaving people often in cramped conditions with limited privacy and inadequately protected from harsh weather. Thousands are currently homeless.

Financial Hardship

International protection applicants are only eligible to work after six months. Owing to work permits processing delays, it can take up to four months before receiving the permit. People who receive negative decisions before receiving their work permission and decide to appeal can only work if the initial decision is overturned.

During these periods of unemployment, international protection applicants receive €38.80 per adult and €29.80 per child per week, making it hard for protection applicants to afford necessities.

Barriers to Healthcare

International protection applicants face long waiting times and difficulties accessing specialised medical or mental health care. Trauma from war, displacement, or persecution often goes untreated.

Social Isolation and Discrimination

Many people seeking protection arrive without family. Further, language barriers make communication and integration difficult. Many face discrimination, racism, or negative stereotypes in daily interactions.

Limited access to Education and Work

International protection applicants can only access third level education and non-vocational further education if they can cover the costs of the fees, get the fees waived or access private grants or scholarships. Non recognition of qualifications and prior experience, remoteness and inaccessibility of some accommodation centres, childcare, language barriers and limited understanding of refugee work permits leave many refugees in precarious employment.

Legal and Bureaucratic Struggles

Complex paperwork and legal processes create stress and confusion. Limited legal aid or advocacy coupled with limited language can negatively impact decisions on their applications and heighten people anxiety.

Loved Ones At Risk

The situation of their families back home also often makes refugee and people seeking protection very anxious. Many remain in conflict zones or at risk of persecution.