Clare’s Minister of State is insisting that government communication over IPAS centres coming into new communities will have to improve.
As Ireland’s asylum system continues to undergo a major shakeup under the EU Migration Pact, the number of people applying for international protection here has fallen by 40% in the first quarter of the year.
Between January and March, just 3,021 people applied for International Protection nationwide, down from the 5,162 who did so last year.
In the same timeframe, the number of deportation orders almost tripled rising from 424 to 1,202.
The Government is also now facing pressure to move to state accommodation centres rather than Hotels, B&Bs and private facilities, which racked up a bill to the taxpayer of over €1bn nationwide last year and occupied up to 33% of tourists beds in Clare.
Tulla based Fianna Fáil Minister of State, Timmy Dooley forsees the costs will be similar, as management and other factors will have to be outsourced, but insists communication about the placement of reception centres will have to be clear.
The news comes in the shadow of the European Court of Justice’s argument last week that Ireland cannot use its housing crisis as an excuse for failing to accommodate Asylum Seekers.
At present, Clare has 5,100 Ukrainian Refugees and 1,011 International Protection Applicants, the vast majority of which are living in hotels, b&bs or private facilities.
Doras CEO John Lannon believes, however, that many nationwide are still living in sub-standard conditions.
You can listen to the full interview below.
