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 2021, JRS assisted 999,518 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 also runs international campaigns focusing on Access to Education, Hospitality, Urban Refugees, Sexual Violence and the Syrian Conflict.

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

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: Full implementation of the McMahon Report recommendations; and the introduction of National Standards for Direct Provision and an independent inspection regime.

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.