Bishops Reiterate Concerns About Length of Time in Direct Provision

Concerns raised at this year's AGM of the Irish Catholic Bishops' Conference about children and the length of time asylum seekers are living in Direct Provision, have been reiterated in commemoration of International Human Rights Day.

Three in seven asylum seekers have been waiting at least 5 years since they first applied for asylum in Ireland.  One in seven are waiting seven years or more.

The latest statement by the Irish Catholic Bishops Conference is available here and the following press release was issued at the conclusion of the conference earlier this year:

Pope Francis has made migration a signature issue of his pontificate.  He has spoken out on behalf of the migrants and “the globalisation of indifference” continually emphasising, “in an age of such vast movements of migration, large numbers of people are leaving their homelands, with a suitcase full of fears and desires, to undertake a hopeful and dangerous trip in search of more humane living conditions.”  The Holy Father has stressed the need to make efforts to ensure that “the dignity and the centrality of the human person is protected, promoting solidarity and dialogue between peoples.”  This has not been the case in Ireland.

Direct provision centres are located in parishes across fourteen dioceses.  Residents in five of these centres have protested over their living conditions in recent months and the system has led to severe delays in the processing of applications of those seeking protection.

Bishops have heard at first-hand about the standard of living which applies to direct provision centres, and wish to voice concern regarding conditions which residents must endure in what is supposed to be temporary accommodation.  Whilst living in direct provision centres for up to two years is challenging, many residents have been living in these centres for over five years.  Some families, parents and children are expected to live in one room together.  Single residents may have to share a room with several other adults and bathrooms are often shared.

Children are of particular concern, they constitute one third of all residents of direct provision and are uniquely vulnerable to the lifelong consequences of growing up in such an institutionalised environment.  Direct provision is not a natural family environment and children may have to share a space with other families, parents cannot prepare food for their children and long durations of stay and confined living space can lead to depression and mental health problems.

The Council for Immigrants of the Irish Bishops’ Conference encourages every diocese to actively support their local parishes charged with the pastoral and spiritual care of those living in direct provision centres in their local communities.