Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
LAST UPDATE | 26 Feb 2021
INTERNATIONAL PROTECTION APPLICANTS will spend no more than four months in six State-owned, not-for-profit centres before moving into their own accommodation under a new model aimed at ending the institutionalised Direct Provision system by 2024.
The Government’s White Paper published today lays out measures to overhaul the controversial privatised system including the construction of State-run accommodation centres.
The current for-profit system has been repeatedly criticised since its establishment in 1999.
Under plans published today by Minister Roderic O’Gorman, the Government intends to establish a new international protection support service to be in place by 2024 and to be delivered by the Department of Children, Equality, Integration and Youth.
Phase One of the plan involves identifying locations for new State-run reception and integration centres made up of own-door accommodation which will be spread throughout the country.
Wraparound services should be in place from when a person makes their application for international protection with specific vulnerabilities identified throughout.
The emphasis, according to the Government’s plan, is on a person-centred approach to support people to integrate into local communities.
The roadmap to phasing out Ireland’s network of private contracts, overcrowded accommodation and shared living spaces is to be followed up with “a blend of not-for-profit housing models”.
After four months in a State-owned centre, applicants should be moved to their own accommodation through a mix of both urban renewal and community hosting schemes but with the vast majority of people moving into accommodation delivered by Approved Housing Bodies.
Under Phase Two of the plan, all accommodation will be own-door, self-contained houses or apartments for families.
It’s intended that single people be housed in either own-door or own-room accommodation.
A distribution scheme is currently being agreed with local authority chief executives to deliver this plan.
The Government also plan to use rent-a-room schemes to source some of the accommodation for single people while private tenancies will be used to source accommodation for families “as necessary”.
It is estimated that Phase One will cost €281 million while Phase Two will cost €391 million to deliver.
The Government’s plan is based on estimates of 3,500 people applying for international protection annually.
The Department intends to build six State-owned accommodation centres with a capacity of 330 people. One of these centres is planned to be be in Dublin, the rest will be spread throughout the country.
However, the paper notes that “delivery of what will be a large capital programme within the timeframe will be challenging and require active management.
“Delays or slippage in the delivery of major parts of the programme could delay the decommissioning of permanent [Direct Provision] centres.”
In addition, the White Paper lays out supports for people throughout their application including education, healthcare, supports for children and victims of domestic violence.
This includes parenting supports and child development services, Vulnerability Assessments which the State has failed to implement despite breaking EU law since 2018 and “special refuge accommodation” for victims of sexual violence and trafficking.
It is planned for inter-agency working groups to be established in every county to ensure integration, according to the White Paper.
The plan also includes expanding the remit of the Offices of the Ombudsman and of the Ombudsman for Children to include complaints relating to services provided to residents of accommodation centres.
The Government’s ambitious plan to end Direct Provision over the next three years comes after the publication of a report from an Expert Advisory Group chaired by former Secretary General of the European Commission Dr Catherine Day.
The Day Report made a number of sweeping recommendations, including a once-off grant to people who have lived in the current system for more than two years. It also recommended increasing access to the labour market and own-door accommodation.
Dr Day said at the time that the current Direct Provision system is “reactive” and said that people living in the system “bear the consequences” of its failures.
“A whole-of-government approach” is needed to replace the system, she said, adding that “continued political oversight” was required to implement any new system.
The Direct Provision system has been repeatedly criticised by migrant rights groups due to the length of time people remain in centres while their asylum applications or appeals are processed, the conditions of centres as well as the psychological effects on those living in these centres.
Over €1 billion has been paid to private contractors and businesses since the system was established.
Today’s White Paper also includes a section from the Department of Justice & Equality around processing times for asylum applications.
It will likely prove disappointing considering one of the key elements in reforming Direct Provision is the length of time people spend in the system.
The White Paper states that “the litigious nature of the International Protection and immigration systems generally presents ongoing challenges.
“While it is recognised that applicants have the right to take judicial review proceedings in the courts, this does add to the length of time that they remain in the system.”
It also states that the Justice Department will not commence a review of progress made in reducing backlogs and improving processing times until October 2022.
A spokesperson for the Department said additional resources have been secured for 2021 and detailed work including an end-to-end review of processes is underway.
“When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place,” the spokesperson said.
Speaking in October, Minister Roderic O’Gorman said any new asylum system will take time to implement and said it was “important that we immediately begin to create a more humane system, rooted in human rights.”
‘Radical transformation’
The UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has welcomed the publication of the White Paper.
However, it warned that deteriorating processing times, continued reliance on emergency accommodation for asylum seekers, and shortages of housing in the community for those granted status risk hampering the realisation of the report’s aims.
“The White Paper on Direct Provision is a welcome, ambitious plan that has the potential to radically transform the integration outcomes of refugees in Ireland,” Enda O’Neill, Head of Office with UNHCR Ireland, said.
“In moving away from accommodating people in centres, some of which are in isolated locations, the new system promises a model which integrates access to services into existing community settings that will promote positive links between refugees and their communities.”
However, the UNHCR cautioned that the effective operation of the accommodation system for asylum seekers could only be achieved by providing fair and fast procedures for deciding on their cases.
“Fair and efficient procedures benefit refugees by ensuring swift access to safety and reducing uncertainty. They benefit governments by reducing procedural costs while respecting human rights principles, and decrease the overall demands on the reception system,” O’Neill said.
“Equally, it is important to the credibility of the entire asylum system that those who are found not to be in need of international protection can be returned promptly to their country of origin in safety and with dignity.”
The UNHCR also urged the government to put an end to the use of emergency accommodation and to appoint an independent inspectorate to monitor new standards in existing centres.
With reporting by Órla Ryan
If the Irish public took the approach of the gilets jaunes in France maybe we could finally force our so called “leaders” to take action. We need to drive fear into the hearts of Eoghan Murphy, Damien English and Leo Varadkar to drive change. They will not listen otherwise.
@Adrian Mac: Maybe we need to make arguments for why sustainable rent controls is better for investors, jobs and multinationals here rather than threatening fear and strife (to people who don’t really care anyway). It is a big problem now affecting inbound jobs as well as internal jobs, and while “social housing” sounds like the answer to rent increases (it 100% isn’t), linking rent increases to inflation would not impact the investor market, making it less risky, but also provide stability in planning. Also, for new houses made available to rent, we need a calculation of maximum rent based on build costs and local averages to prevent clusters of rent increases. There are ways to control rent – you just need to appeal to all rather than kicking up a fuss.
@Gulliver Foyle: I think enough time has been given to the parasites in power to do the right thing, It may now be time for action to focus their efforts.
@Dot Com: The problem is we live in a democracy, and until the impact of rent affects the 80% middle class, then the status quo offers them what they want (a comfortable standard of living in one of the safest countries in the world). The fact is with high employment (which just means both parents working), these rent levels are not a barrier to work. Only when it affects the next generation will a change be made, but by then the middle will be in a position to sell their houses and get out of the city, or use the high rent to subsidise their kids getting a mortgage no a new build.
@Gulliver Foyle: It’s already affecting the next generation. The prospect of trying to find a house to rent when you’re a young adult is daunting – and that’s putting it lightly. It shouldn’t be the case that young adults who are working and contributing to society cannot find somewhere to live and have to resort to living in their parents homes or living in abysmal accommodation which costs a fortune and isn’t up to standard.
This problem has been going on for years at this point and the slow and steady approach adopted by the government is not working. We need a drastic change in pace from those responsible for housing in this country and we need it fast.
Disruption to the status quo may be the only means to achieve pace at this point.
@Adrian Mac: That Damien English is a bigger robot then Murphy. Both of them excruciating to listen to.
€500 a month I’m paying in rent down in Donegal, split between 2 people. About to buy a 76msq apartment for €55k.
That’s some difference compared to Dublin. I know some people just want the city life but for me having a home secured at 29 is better than having the stress of living week to week in one of the big cities, saving for a mortgage that you’ll be paying for the rest of your life!
@Gary O’Brien: No work for most west of the shannon
@Marcus o Dhonnghaile: Over 50% unemployment West of The Shannon?
@Gary O’Brien: there are also plenty jobs outside of Dublin, with new job announcements in galway, Sligo and in your part of the world, sita and pramerica in letterkenny offering just under Dublin salaries for a pittance of the rent. but there is a massive reason for being in the city in terms of health (counter intuitive, but proven), knowledge and society. Employees, while moaning about primarily transport and then rent, understand this is the situation and trade off, and are encouraged to live here. this won’t change unless skilled employees stop coming and then prices will drop, but so will jobs.
@Gary O’Brien: wow
@Gary O’Brien: I’m paying 450 for 3 bed house and living halfway between cork and limerick, 50 mins to cork and 30 to limerick. Plenty of places outside the cities. Also the average person in the Pale is 1600ish, that means half the people up there are paying less than the average
@Patrick O Connell: Not sure how they calculate the average. Long leases might have older rents. The min rent is 1800 a month for a 3 bed in Dublin.
@Kamshafft: off you go
Great value for renters! Happy for my landlord friends in the party, everyone is a winner.
@Socky Varadkar: Especially those who are able to lie to Revenue Self Assessment with the aid of committed, Fine Gael leaning Accountants.
We are inviting another crash and we haven’t recovered from the last one! We’ll some of you escaped but it could be you next time, start caring about your neighbors and demand reform there are plenty of solutions like 150000 odd empty properties we have to start a policy of use it or lose it.
@Cormac McKay Dublin: How many of those properties are in Dublin ? Many wont live outside Dublin .
@Marcus o Dhonnghaile: build infrastructure and they will.
@Gulliver Foyle: No they wont..Build another home beside it for Granny & extended family ( to childmind)+ bus stop+ shop + school + hospital….yep, i WANT them on my doorstep
Is the tax on rent the replacement for stamp duty…absolute insane market
@Kieran OKeeffe: Maybe the tax on Rental Income for Ordinary Landlords is designed to constrict the Rental Market, and consign Landlords, except for a certain powerfully Fine Gael supporting cabal, to the dustbin? Perhaps Cabal landlords are advised to collect in non-traceable cash, lie through their teeth to the RTB about the number of tenants they have, claiming they are simply sharing, rather than being a Landlord. (RTB aren’t going to send a posse up to investigate, anyway).
That rent is pittance if you are on a TD’s or Government minister’s salary.
Or you could Homeshare for €195 per month.
@Lucie Cunningham: nice try at promoting your business Lucie.
@Jonathan Power: in fairness to her she is thinking outside the box and offering a solution. Most people moan and do nothing.
@Lucie Cunningham: Your business does actually seem like a good idea Lucie. However, please get someone to proof read your website. There are mistakes all over the place that start on the homepage itself and continues pretty much throughout the site.
Meanwhile my mortgage on a 3 bedroom house in rathfarnham is 1300. The system is utterly knackered.
Getting to a point it’s nearly impossible on.your own to rent unless you make close to 1k a week.
for most of us sharing we sign individual leases at a set sharing rate. For example my rent is 900 to rent a bedroom in a shared house and that is pretty typical for Dublin city. Otherwise known as just under 50% of my income.
In terms of moving out of Dublin. I actually studied my post grad in Belfast and lived there for a number of years. I was paying 200 a month in rent for the same set up I have now. However I was earning half of what I earn in Dublin. So it was really the same. The problem, regardless of where in Ireland we are is the cost of living. We need proper rent tied to peoples income. If everyone paid 15% in rent then maybe we can actually enjoy life instead of being constantly broke.
@Niall Dunne: by those numbers you were much better off in Belfast.
@Derek: except I would have been stuck in low paid employment for the rest of my life. In Dublin I can build a career.
The system is a joke in this country.
Delusional
Wonder who paying this ? Crazy beyond wildest nightmare
@Martin Gerard Smith: everyone – that’s what statistics are about. you are either paying above this, or below it, but on average this is the rent per property – whether it’s a mansion in foxrock or a slum in darndale.
Hooray for all the build to rent schemes happening! Everyone can afford investment company rates…
The number of landlords falls, but ill bet the number of properties being privatly rented must be on the rise given that large Funds are buying up complete developments off plans. ??
@Stephen Maher: what do you mean by “privately rented”
@RM:
Sorry not a great description, i mean not state owned, privatly owned and rented.
Just shift those on welfare for more than 5 years to regions where rental rates are low.
Leitrim has perfectly good apartments @ E450/month:
https://www.daft.ie/leitrim/apartments-for-rent/?s%5Bignored_agents%5D%5B0%5D=428&s%5Bignored_agents%5D%5B1%5D=1551
@Moorooka Mick:
Roscommon too:
https://www.daft.ie/roscommon/apartments-for-rent/frenchpark/the-oaks-frenchpark-roscommon-1804738/
It surely must be referring to properties and not individuals? What is the average rent per individual or is it to hard to determine this?
@Gus McIntosh: good point, but it didn’t fit the narrative. the data is there, but you need to look for it. it is broken down by house size (bedrooms), and but it does include 4 bedroom detached houses amongst the stars, which are for 4+ adults or families. associate the rent per employed adult would probably yield €600 per month or rent as 20% of household income, which is, er, very attractive.
@Gus McIntosh: Well this is for a full property. However for most of us sharing we sign individual leases at a set sharing rate. For example my rent is 900 to rent a bedroom in a shared house and that is pretty typical for Dublin city. Otherwise known as just under 50% of my income.
In terms of moving out of Dublin. I actually studied my post grad in Belfast and lived there for a number of years. I was paying 200 a month in rent for the same set up I have now. However I was earning half of what I earn in Dublin. So it was really the same. The problem, regardless of where in Ireland we are is the cost of living. We need proper rent tied to peoples income. If everyone paid 15% in rent then maybe we can actually enjoy life instead of being constantly broke.
That’s a lot of extra money to live in a Toilet.
I wish you could find somewhere in Galway for that price. Been looking for months now and nowhere cheaper than 1600 most days and even at that they’re are very little out there to rent. I can only presume these ads are getting massive responses as I have yet to hear back from any property since I’ve started looking. Looks like we’ll be in emergency accommodation after Christmas, if we are lucky, while paying for storage for all our furniture etc. We have references, we have the money, we just can’t get a viewing for any property available. If anyone on here knows of somewhere or is a landlord reading this, please help us find a home in Galway in new year.
And landlords are still complaining.
@Sean Conway: Did you read the article? They’ve stopped complaining and started leaving the market in large numbers.
@Sean Conway: You realize they only get half the rent right?? The rest is Tax..
@Rob Cahill: That is the point and most people seem to overlook it. Headline should clarify this.Rent paid is another source of taxation. For every €1,000 a tenant pays in rent €500 goes into Government coffers. Actual rent equates to €500 for the landlord who owns and maintains the property and is more than likely paying a mprthage on it and €500 for the Govetnment who has no intetest other
than monetary gain in the same. Question: who exactly is drivivg rental prices up under the circumstances?
Our ex landlord put the rent up from 800 to 1200 per month after we left, the house istill empty 6 months on.
@Roger Camp: so offer him 1100
IRES REIT are doing this.
If the government are going to tax landlords to the teeth and basically control rent increases then landlords will just say it’s easier to sell up and sit on the nest egg. When Ireland make it profitable for landlords to invest their hard earned money then we will have rent control because of availability. Simple, other countries grasped the concept but unfortunately the small minded politicians still have not figured this out yet
@pearse: You’re talking sense but it doesn’t fit in with the narrative so expect some angry responses
Was paying 800 punts monthly rent in 1999 for standard 3 bed 3 bath duplex house (over 2 bed ground floor apartment) Salthill area Galway. Would have been more expensive only for small rent increase per year. Moved out years later when finished building own house. Rent was always expensive.
have your say