Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI)

Press Statement

For the

6th December 2023

Statement on Ireland’s obliga on to provide material support to asylum seekers

The Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland (MASI) is concerned by the government’s an-
nouncement that they will not accommodate asylum seekers who arrive in Ireland due to ac-
commodation shortage. This is appalling considering that all Direct Provision centres were at
full capacity by the end of 2018 which is 5 years ago. There seems to have been no long-
term plan in place to address this since then and all we hear is the excuse about the contri-
bution of the war in the Ukraine. There was no war in the Ukraine when Direct Provision cen-
tres became full. Its the government’s over reliance on private and for-profit companies to
warehouse asylum seekers for more than two decades that has brought us to where we are
today. A situation worsened by not building enough social housing stock in the same period.

More disturbing are reports that asylum seekers who will be left homeless will be given a
mere €75 per week to meet their basic needs. This is insulting and tokenistic since no per-
son can find accommodation and feed themselves on €75 per week anywhere in Ireland.
The government risks violating international human rights law by leaving asylum seekers
destitute as they will be unable to meet their basic needs with €75 and no right to work.

MASI calls on the government to comply with its legal obligation to provide asylum seekers
with material supports. Further to that, MASI calls on the government to:

1. Pay homeless asylum seekers the full Supplementary Welfare Allowance rate.

2. Lift all the restrictions on the right to work and allow all asylum seekers to work.

3. Allow asylum seekers to avail of homeless services including emergency accommodation

through local authorities.
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 The government’s own spending review, and the Catherine Day Advisory Group show that it
costs more money to the tax payer to keep asylum seekers in Direct Provision vs giving
them access to public services including welfare and housing on the same basis as citizens.
The €75 per week is clearly not about affordability for the Irish government. It is a cruel joke
on the vulnerable people who will be left to fend for themselves with no right to work or other
recourse.

ENDS

About MASI - the Movement of Asylum Seekers in Ireland is a grassroots organisa on based in Ire-
land. We are people who are or have been in the asylum and direct provision system in Ireland,
working and advoca ng together for jus ce, freedom and dignity for refugees, asylum seekers and
migrants. Our focus is on the Right to Educa on and the Right to Work for all people seeking asylum,
on the complete aboli on of direct provision and an end to deporta ons.

Media Enquiries: Bulelani Mfaco - +353 89 474 2911

www.masi.ie

Email: bulelani@masi.ie

Twi er: @MASI_ASYLUM

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