History

The Jesuit Refugee Service (JRS) is an international non-governmental organisation, founded in 1980 with the mission to accompany, to serve and to advocate the cause of refugees and forcibly displaced persons worldwide.

JRS programmes are found in over 50 countries, providing assistance to refugees in camps, to people displaced within their own country, to asylum seekers in cities and those in detention. In 2023, JRS assisted 1.2 million forcibly displaced persons across the globe.

The work of JRS is overseen by 10 regional offices with support from an International Office in Rome and the dedication of more than 1,400 workers, many of whom work on a voluntary basis.

JRS works internationally in the areas of Education & Livelihoods; Mental Health & Psychosocial Support; Reconciliation; and Advocacy.

For more information on our work internationally visit: https://jrs.net/

JRS Ireland

JRS Ireland is a work of and generously supported by the Irish Jesuit Province. Under JRS Ireland’s Strategic Aims, we prioritise the following principal areas of work: asylum seeker support; detention; integration; and policy and advocacy. To realise these aims, we deliver specific activities and services including outreach, information and advice, and targeted supports in education, health and wellbeing, transition, employment and integration. The strategic priorities of JRS Ireland may change in line with the needs of beneficiaries and our capacity and resources. The Board of Management is responsible for the strategic direction of JRS Ireland.

Our Aims are:

To promote improvements in the reception and integration of asylum seekers, refugees and migrants.
To support non-Irish nationals who are in detention under immigration legislation
To advocate for a more just immigration system and asylum process.
To foster a more positive public image of asylum seekers and migrants in Ireland and deepen public understanding of asylum and migration issues.
To support the work of JRS Europe, the JRS International Office and JRS projects on the ground worldwide.

For more information on our programmes see What We Do

JRS Ireland Policy Priorities:

Protection Process: A fair, transparent and adequately resourced asylum process that operates efficiently and produces good quality final determinations of protection claims in a timely manner.

Reception: Consistent and effective access to dedicated reception facilities providing orientation services; mental health, wellbeing and other medical supports; early legal advice; and information about the protection process.

Living Conditions: All International Protection applicants provided with accommodation that respects their inherent human dignity.

Supports: An effective right to access the labour market at the earliest possible juncture and access to further education and vocational training on a comparable basis to Irish citizens.

Transition: An equitable and sustainable model of integration for all persons granted international protection and/or permission to remain.

Sharing Responsibility: Enhanced safe and legal routes to access international protection in Ireland.