The government of the UK is optimistic that within a few weeks, they can relocate asylum seekers to a section of the Thornton Hall site, located north of Co Dublin, which was originally reserved for a delayed ‘mega-prison’. As the dilemma of fitting asylum seekers persists for the state, the urgency to find additional locations is escalating due to the increasing number of tents set up in and around Dublin by newcomers to the country.
The government is confident that an area of the 160-acre site at Thornton Hall could be prepared for tented accommodation, alongside building appropriate sanitary facilities and arranging cooking & dining spaces. Thornton Hall site was always considered a potential location to house asylum seekers.
In the previous year, the cabinet was requested to sanction a huge amount of euros to help accommodation ventures on government-owned lands, among them, Thornton Hall. Other examples of such sites where tents were erected include Columb Barracks in Mullingar and the Central Mental Hospital, situated in South Dublin.
On Thursday, Taoiseach Simon Harris stressed the urgent requirement for the government to pinpoint land owned by the state where asylum seekers could be housed, as the numbers living in tents at the Grand Canal in South Dublin expanded once again this week.
The total number of tents on the canal stretch between Baggot Street and Leeson Street has increased from 30 last week to more than 40 on Tuesday, reaching nearly 90 by Thursday. According to the most recent statistics from the International Protection Accommodation Service released this week, there are 1,780 asylum seekers awaiting accommodation.
Last week, several barriers were put up along portions of the canal in an effort to discourage homeless asylum seekers from erecting tents in the area. This was followed by a joint effort from the local police, the HSE, and Waterways Ireland to evict more than 100 tents and relocate about 160 occupants, primarily male, to areas in Crooksling (southwest Dublin) and Dundrum.
However, the numbers have risen yet again, with the majority of the new tents on the canal inhabited by Afghan and Palestinian males who have recently arrived in the country.
In a recent press meeting on Thursday, Mr Harris acknowledged the persisting issue of tent encroachment but asserted that the current situation significantly differed from the event at Mount Street, where, owing to its closeness to the International Protection Office (IPO), a campsite was established. He criticised the official response, or lack thereof, to what quickly escalated into a near public health crisis at Mount Street.
Mr Harris confirmed that although tents’ surging presence is indeed a problem, it is not akin to the Mount Street incident as these are not let to escalate for extended periods. He proposed a swift identification of government-owned land where secure tent dwellings and sanitation facilities could be provided. This endeavour, he confided, was already being pursued with a great deal of urgency.
The Taoiseach, however, pointed out that conversations relating to migration must extend beyond just shelter provision as it precipitates an oversimplified view of a complex issue. He drew attention to other facets like the interplay with the welfare system and allocation of accommodation charges that need to be factored in to develop an enduring migration policy.
As he elaborated on the government’s approach, Mr Harris disclosed that they had recently presented a memo listing ten actions, one of them being housing, but the remaining nine tackling various other areas. Each of these points, he asserted, was being actioned by ministerial representatives, highlighting the government’s comprehensive strategy.
On a more critical note, Mr Harris expressed discontent at the current handling of migration, stating that it was doing a disservice not only to migrants but also to the Irish people. He expressed his frustration at the current discourse, which is rather myopically focused on shelter.
In the coming weeks, tighter restrictions on welfare for refugees and asylum seekers are to be deliberated as the government aims to lessen incoming numbers and relieve tension on the asylum system. Approximately 27,000 Ukrainians living in government-funded serviced accommodation, such as hotels and B&Bs with meals and other services, stand to be affected when they are not employed.
In a period of six weeks, financial aid will be down from €232 to less than €39 weekly. A representative from the Government maintains these reductions are not a ploy to encourage Ukrainians to return to their homeland. However, higher-ranking officials have confidentially agreed that a substantial portion of the Government’s focus is now aimed at limiting the number of asylum seekers. Creating less appealing conditions is now viewed as a crucial element of this approach. The Government’s representative said, “The goal is to ensure the long-term viability of the entire migration system.”