Many children living in Direct Provision have said that they feel “unsafe” and that their living conditions are “dirty.”
A report published last year by the Department of Justice shows that children living under the asylum seekers welfare system are being negatively affected by their living conditions, as many have complaints about the standard of accommodation and their treatment from staff.
The children also raised issues about racism and bullying in the Direct Provision centres.
According to the report, men in the centres are “looking creepy” at the children and bothering them in communal areas.
While some stated that they enjoyed the “nice people” and “amazing community,” the majority said that they had been in the “overcrowded” system for too long, and that it was “not fair.”
An estimated 25 percent of people currently living in Direct Provision are under the age of 17.
Following a landmark Supreme Court ruling this year, those over the age of 18 were permitted to apply for work permits, however considerable restrictions are still in place.
Today, the Anti-Racism Network’s Right2Work campaign is launching in Dublin’s city centre.
The group is calling for the right to work for all asylum seekers, without restriction and without discrimination.
Asylum seekers in Ireland are only allowed to apply for work permits for jobs with a minimum pay of €30,000 per annum.
They are also restricted from applying for work in many sectors such as hospitality and retail.
The current allowance for adults and children living in Direct Provision is €21.60 per week.
The Right2Work launch will take place today Jun 14 at Dublin’s Liberty Hall at 6pm.
