Latest news with #Depaul
RTÉ News
03-07-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
'No hope' of alternative accommodation for those moving from IPAS centres
Two agencies providing services to asylum applicants who have been granted permission to remain in Ireland have called on the Minister for Housing and Minister for Justice to work together to prevent thousands more people ending up in homeless services in the coming weeks and months. It comes following confirmation from the Department of Justice that from tomorrow 2,042 people, including 600 families, will be moved from IPAS, on a phased basis over the coming months. Charities Crosscare and Depaul work with those seeking international protection in Ireland and those who have legal status. In a statement this evening, they stated that the risk of homelessness was a direct result of the Department of Justice moving people out of IPAS accommodation having been permitted to remain in Ireland, "even though they have little or no hope of finding alternative accommodation". The chief executives of both organisations wrote to the ministers two months ago "pleading with them to work together to avoid escalating the homeless crisis". Crosscare CEO Conor Hickey and Depaul CEO David Carroll warned both ministers that another 6,000 people with permission to live and work here could end up in homeless services. In the past 18 months, over 7,000 people with status have left IPAS accommodation. According to the latest homeless figures, a total of 15,747 people were in emergency accommodation last month, of whom 3,031 were from outside the European Economic Area (EEA). Between May 2023 and May 2025, there was an increase of approximately 1,230 in the number of Non‑EEA adults in emergency accommodation. Crosscare and DePaul have said the matter can no longer be ignored. They are concerned about families being removed from their communities. "An offer that uproots vulnerable people and separates them and their children from their supports is not a real offer. It is simply unfair and unjust and must not be allowed," they said. The joint statement called on the country's local authorities to "work together with IPAS to respond in a humane and planned manner for this group of people, many of whom are very vulnerable". Statutory responsibility in relation to the provision of accommodation and related services for homeless households rests with individual local authorities. However, Crosscare and Depaul have said frontline staff in both charities are finding that local authorities across the country are "not always accepting responsibility" for households who have become homeless after leaving IPAS. "They can find themselves being moved between different authorities, and staff see them disproportionately present to Dublin homeless services. "Some local authorities are failing to provide timely access to emergency accommodation; families at times have reported that they are not always being dealt with immediately and are told to return to IPAS for assistance." The Department of Housing has acknowledged that the growth in the number of households being granted international protection or other forms of permission to remain in the State has resulted in local authorities seeing increasing presentations from households who have recently left direct provision accommodation. Crosscare and Depaul have called a coordinated plan as a matter of "urgency", to support those with status who have been asked to move out of direct provision/IPAS and to postpone notices to those who have received letters that they must move on from their present accommodation.
The Journal
25-04-2025
- General
- The Journal
'Appalling': Record 15,418 people in emergency accommodation, including 4,675 children
THE NUMBER OF people in emergency accommodation increased last month to a record 15,418 people, including 4,675 children. It represents an increase of 40 people, including 22 more children, compared to the previous month . According to the latest figures from the Department of Housing, it's the first time that the number of people living in emergency accommodation in Dublin surpassed 11,000. This includes 7,537 adults and 3,487 children. This doesn't account for those rough sleeping, refugees, asylum seekers, individuals in domestic violence shelters, or those experiencing 'hidden homelessness', such as sleeping in cars, on couches, or other unsuitable living conditions. Catherine Kenny, CEO of Dublin Simon Community, said that the figure is 'capped by space, not demand'. 'Emergency accommodation is limited. Beds are full or near capacity. People can only access it when someone else leaves or a new space opens up. 'In other words, many more are left to rough sleep or live in unsafe and unsuitable conditions in hidden homelessness. Advertisement 'We have a crisis that should shock the conscience of the country and especially of those who run it. When the number of people living in emergency shelters matches the population of a whole town, something is deeply broken. We must not allow ourselves to normalise this level of human suffering. Minister for Housing James Browne has yet to comment on the latest figures, published just after 2pm this afternoon. The latest data shows an 8% year-on-year increase in the number of people in emergency accommodation in Dublin. The charity Depaul said the government needs to 'show evidence that they have a strong response to the homelessness crisis'. A spokesperson said that it is concerned that high levels of homelessness is becoming the 'new, accepted normal' but that the mental health impacts on those experiencing homelessness shouldn't be underestimated. The Salvation Army has described the child homelessness situation as 'appalling'. 'With school summer holidays approaching, it is appalling that for more than 3,000 children, what should be the most carefree time of their year, is spent in emergency accommodation.' Sinn Féin spokesperson for housing Eoin Ó Broin called on the government to reverse funding cuts for housing schemes that help prevent homelessness. He argues that, as many local authorities have less funds available to buy properties, more renters will be evicted when landlords sell, and schemes like HAP will have less availability, resulting in more people staying in emergency accommodation for longer periods of time. Readers like you are keeping these stories free for everyone... A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation. Learn More Support The Journal
