Ministers for Housing James Browne and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan are being asked to work together to prevent thousands more people from ending up in homeless services in the coming weeks and months.

One vulnerable client told Depaul: “IPAS has really helped us, they have made sure that we have good lives. But, I am facing an accommodation crisis. I have been searching and searching with no luck, the deadline from the IPAS is 4th July. I am scared, I don’t want to go to an emergency centre with my kids again. We have been through a lot, I am managing trauma and grief, I want to be properly healed. Now I have sleepless nights and sleeping difficulties. My blood pressure is high.”

Crosscare and Depaul are two major agencies that provide a significant range of services to those seeking international protection in Ireland, as well as to those who have been granted permission to remain in the country and require long-term housing.

Two months ago, the CEOs of both organisations wrote to the ministers, pleading with them to work together to avoid escalating the homeless crisis. This risk, they stated, is a direct result of the Department of Justice moving people out of IPAS accommodation when they have been permitted to remain in Ireland, even though they have little or no hope of finding alternative accommodation.

In a letter last May, Crosscare CEO Conor Hickey and Depaul CEO David Carroll warned both Ministers that another 6,000 people with permission to live and work here could end up in homeless services.

They stated: “This matter can no longer be ignored. Extremist elements continue to exploit the issue of housing and migration, and we believe that as a society, we need to respond in a humane, planned and coordinated way.

Previous alternative offers by IPAS include tented accommodation in locations far away from the hard-won supports these people have built up in the areas where they have been placed, such as schools, jobs, and networks. An offer that uproots vulnerable people and separates them and their children from their supports is not a real offer. It is simply unfair and unjust and must not be allowed.” They added: “The country’s local authorities must work together with IPAS to respond in a humane and planned manner for this group of people, many of whom are very vulnerable.”

Frontline staff in both agencies are finding that local authorities across the country are not always accepting responsibility for households who have become homeless after leaving IPAS. They can find themselves being moved between different authorities and staff see them disproportionately present to Dublin homeless services. Some local authorities are failing to provide timely access to emergency accommodation; families at times have reported that they are not always being dealt with immediately and are told to return to IPAS for assistance.

Crosscare and Depaul say it is a matter of urgency that both the Departments of Housing and Justice have a coordinated plan to support all those with status who have asked to move out of direct provision and to postpone notices to those who have received letters that they must move on from their present accommodation.

“We ask that a clear pathway to support be established for those who have become homeless after leaving IPAS, and that local authorities and IPAS proactively accept joint responsibility for this group of people.”

For media queries contact: Colette Campbell – Depaul Ireland – Colette.campbell@depaulcharity.net