Latest news with #Doras
Irish Post
5 days ago
- Business
- Irish Post
Tánaiste Simon Harris says proposals for working asylum seekers to pay rent are ‘reasonable'
SIMON Harris's proposal that working asylum seekers contribute to the cost of their accommodation has been described as 'quite unfair' by migrant advocacy groups. Speaking to the Independent, Harris said it is 'reasonable' for those with jobs to contribute to their housing costs based on a means test, calling it 'important for social cohesion.' The average cost of accommodating an asylum seeker is estimated at €84 per day, or over €580 per week. With state spending on asylum accommodation exceeding €1 billion last year—up 54% from 2023—the government is under pressure to manage growing costs. 'If you are working and have the means, you should be making a contribution,' Harris said, adding that the policy should be introduced quickly. However, John Lannon, CEO of migrant support organisation Doras, has criticised the move. He said many asylum seekers are living in substandard, overcrowded accommodation, with hundreds still housed in tents. 'It's all very well asking people to contribute,' Lannon told Newstalk Breakfast , 'but we need to consider what they're contributing to.' He pointed out that asylum seekers face significant employment barriers: jobs are typically low-paid, require long travel, and involve unsociable hours. Many hold qualifications that are not recognised in Ireland or the EU. 'Families in the international protection system… can't access childcare. These children don't get the supports others take for granted,' Lannon said. Asylum seekers can seek employment six months after applying for protection. A previous means-testing regime introduced by the Department of Social Protection led to over 5,000 asylum seekers losing weekly welfare payments after securing full-time work. The government's new plan would go further, introducing income-linked rent contributions based on financial means. While the government says reforms are necessary to ensure sustainability, campaigners say such measures risk deepening inequality for already vulnerable people. However, Ireland's asylum system and the services it provides are considered among the most generous in Europe, if not the world. Ireland provides social welfare payments, including a weekly allowance (the Direct Provision Additional Payment, or DEA) and access to medical cards, to asylum seekers. The DEA provides a weekly allowance, with the maximum rate in 2025 being €38.80 per person, according to Citizens Information. At present, there are over 32,000 people living in state-provided accommodation—up from 7,000 in 2021. Despite small drops in arrivals recently, the pressure on housing and resources remains a major political issue. See More: Asylum Seeker, DEA, John Lannon, Tánaiste Simon Harris
Irish Independent
7 days ago
- Irish Independent
More than 400 stowaways turned away from Irish ports in space of four years
Figures released by the Department of Justice show 91 people were detected last year attempting a 'clandestine entry' into the country on a passenger or freight ferry. A spokesperson for the department said the individuals were refused leave to land following their detection. The figures relating to attempted entries through a sea border in Ireland have risen from 56 in 2020 at the height of the pandemic to a high of 119 in 2022. There were 435 stowaways detected in total between 2020 and 2024. There were 96 stowaways in 2021, 73 in 2023 and 91 last year. No figures for this year are available officially so far. In January, nine men were found in a container in Rosslare Europort, which led to calls for the French port authorities to put stricter security in place. Two men were also found in a container at Rosslare Europort last October, and gardaí launched a human-trafficking probe following the discovery of 14 people in a shipping container in Rosslare Europort in January last year. In contrast to the numbers of migrants arriving by small boats in the UK, the Department of Justice said there have been no 'small boat' arrivals in Ireland over the past five years. Marine experts say this is due to the much longer distance from France to Ireland and the rougher seas. John Lannon, the chief executive of migrants rights organisation Doras, said immigration policies force people seeking international protection to make dangerous decisions to board small boats or to hide in containers and lorries making ferry crossings. 'They often do so because they see no better alternatives and as a result they often end up in situations where their lives are at risk,' he said. 'Policies designed to make it more difficult for people to seek international protection in Ireland are dangerous and misguided. They put people's lives at greater risk and are playing into the hands of smugglers and traffickers.' Up to the end of last May, he said there were 5,037 applications for international protection in Ireland, compared to 9,199 in 2024. 'Forcing freight companies and lorry drivers to have to take preventative measures to stop people stowing away on their vehicles or containers has the effect of preventing people who want and need to apply for asylum in Ireland from doing so,' he said. 'Equally, we know people regularly need to escape from persecution or war without valid documents, as getting these from a government that's persecuting you is not possible.'
Irish Examiner
09-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Non-national man assaulted in Limerick after ‘fabricated allegations'
Gardaí are investigating after a non-Irish national was assaulted in Limerick following 'fabricated allegations" that had been made against him. The man, aged in his 40s, was taken to University Hospital Limerick after being assaulted on July 1 at approximately 3.45pm in the Parnell Street area, near People's Park. According to a Garda spokesperson, he suffered non-life threatening injuries. The assault came after several members of the public expressed concerns about the man's alleged behaviour in People's Park on the previous day. A Garda spokesperson said: 'On Monday, June 30, 2025 a number of members of the public expressed their concern to Gardaí attached to Henry Street Garda Station, for the alleged behaviour of a man who had earlier been seated in the People's Park, Limerick.' After enquiries, Gardaí have said they are 'satisfied that the alleged conduct was not of a criminal nature and was nothing untoward'. 'The male fully co-operated with Gardaí during the course of their enquiries. Gardaí are aware that this is the same male (the male who was assaulted) that was subject of the claims expressed on Monday, June 30,' the spokesperson added. An Garda Síochána is appealing for witnesses to this incident of assault to contact Roxboro Road Garda Station on 061 214340 , the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111 or any Garda station. Online disinformation Gardaí also noted that they are aware of the 'misinformation and disinformation currently in circulation online' relating to the initial concerns raised my members of the public. They have asked for any content shared to not be 'forwarded onwards or further posted'. Limerick-based refugee and migrant rights organisation, Doras, shared a statement condemning the "fabricated allegations'. 'We are appalled by the recent assault in Limerick of a man from a migrant background, following unfounded and fabricated allegations against him. This was a targeted act of harassment and violence. It has understandably caused fear and distress within migrant communities — and, rightly, outrage among the vast majority of people in Limerick who reject racism and vigilantism,' read the statement. Doras said Limerick has a proud tradition of being a welcoming and inclusive city — and that hate and harassment has no place there. 'We urge everyone: please do not share or engage with posts or videos that spread false claims. Doing so can put innocent people in real danger.' Doras said they are providing support to the man who was assaulted. 'We stand firmly with all migrants and others who face harassment or violence simply because of who they are,' they added. 'If you witness or experience racism or a hate crime, please contact us at 083 008 6391 or email: mvs@ Read More Beach-goers warned about poisonous weever fish amid spell of hot weather
Toronto Star
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Toronto Star
Dora Awards 2025: ‘Mahabharata' dominates Toronto's top theatre honours amid major upsets
A sinewy, multidisciplinary retelling of an ancient Sanskrit epic dominated the 2025 Dora Awards on Monday night, capping an extraordinary journey for a show that was born in Canada and has gone on to tour the world. 'Karma, The Life We Inherit,' the first half of Why Not Theatre's two-part play 'Mahabharata,' won five Doras in the general theatre division, including for outstanding production and outstanding new play. Co-written by Miriam Fernandes and Ravi Jain, who also won individual awards for performance and direction, respectively, the show tells the story of two warring factions of an ancient noble family, whose conflict spills across generations.
Hamilton Spectator
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hamilton Spectator
First half of two-part Sanskrit epic big winner at Dora Awards in Toronto
TORONTO - A modern take on a millennia-old Sanskrit epic was the big winner in the general theatre division of the Dora Mavor Moore Awards. 'Mahabharata Part One: Karma: The Life We Inherit' took home five of the nine prizes in its division at the Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts' award ceremony on Monday night. Both halves of the two-part play from Why Not Theatre and Canadian Stage were nominated for a total of 15 Doras, but 'Part Two: Dharma: The Life We Choose' didn't win any. Co-creators Ravi Jain and Miriam Fernandes both won for the play — the former for best direction, the latter for outstanding individual performance, and together for best new play. The production, which presents a 4,000-year-old story about a feud between families, also won outstanding production and best sound design or composition. In the musical theatre division, 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' from Shifting Ground Collective took home the Doras for outstanding production and best creative direction. Shifting Ground Collective's production of the Broadway musical also won the audience choice award. 'People, Places and Things' from Coal Mine Theatre won outstanding production in the independent theatre division, while 'La Reine-garçon,' which was a Canadian Opera Company co-production with Opéra de Montréal, took home the same award in the opera division. Soulpepper Theatre Company's 'Alligator Pie' won outstanding production for young audiences, and 'everything i wanted to tell you (but couldn't, so here it is now)' from Citadel + Compagnie won that prize in the dance division. Monday's ceremony marked the Doras' 45th anniversary. The Dora Awards are nominated by members of Toronto's professional performing arts community. Jurors include performers, designers, directors, producers, administrators and educators. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2025.
