Since the Ukraine war began over two years ago, the Association of Leaders of Missionaries and Religious of Ireland (Amri) has reported that religious communities have made many of their facilities available, offering refuge to immigrants. In reaction to the government’s request for dioceses to assist by offering unused assets and buildings to lessen the load on public services struggling to house nearly 1,700 claimants of international protection, Amri stated that a variety of properties have been made available by over 40 Irish religious groups since February 2022. These assets include convents, retreat centres, former student residences, houses, apartments, and individual rooms, largely supplied free of charge to the state.
Their spokesperson explained how various support services such as English language classes, pastoral care, and guidance are also provided by individual congregation members to facilitate the integration of the newcomers into the local community. The spokesperson also mentioned that Amri’s members were responsive to requests for emergency accommodation for individual refugees/asylum seekers whenever feasible.
On the other hand, The Minister of State at the Department of Integration, Joe O’Brien, reached out to the dioceses in early March to ask for an increased number of local authority lands or buildings to be supplied by the County and City Management Association (CCMA) in an attempt to address the problem. He was, however, informed that the capacity of local authorities to provide extra buildings was restricted. This was a disappointment, according to Mr. O’Brien. He suggested that there was a decline in the number of Ukrainian refugees requiring “rest centre” beds, hence, efforts should be concentrated on bringing into use any unoccupied beds to solve the accommodation problems for asylum seekers.
The spokesperson for Amri mentioned that a growing number of their members are aging and have diverse healthcare, social, and housing needs. Some of their properties require modifications, others have been put up for sale as they are no longer suitable. Some of these properties have been surrendered or offered to the state. However, Amri has no knowledge of the Government’s intention to purchase religious property.
A representative from Dublin’s Catholic Archdiocese revealed that the majority of the former Clonliffe College seminary in Drumcondra, which is the largest diocesan property, no longer belongs to the Archdiocese. Despite this, he specified that the ex-Mater Dei building within the complex that still falls under the Archdiocese’s property has served as a family hub for several years, housing around 60 families at present. He also noted that it’s common for various diocese parishes to offer amenities for community utilisation alongside pastoral requirements, inclusive of supportive services for Ukrainian families and asylum applicants.
The social care agency of the Archdiocese, Crosscare, confirmed their provision of comprehensive assistance for asylum seekers and recognised refugees. This includes services for homelessness, residential and housing welfare advocacy which are accessible for those with refugee status. An outreach team that operates in collaboration with IPAS (International Protection Accommodation Service) across six differing locations has been established by Crosscare. It has also made provision for an information and advocacy service for those seeking international protection.
A representative of the Church of Ireland situated in Dublin disclosed that the Department of Integration had made contact regarding the heightened strain the Irish government is encountering in accommodating incoming refugees and asylum seekers. She stated that the church is currently reaching out to all parishes in Dublin and Glendalough regarding the Department’s request for potentially adaptable land or property which could be utilised on a short, medium or long term basis to help ease the situation.