The number of people who received assistance online and offline from the Irish Refugee Council totalled 11,0000 in 2022, compared to 3,000 people in 2021, an increase of 267%.
Commenting, the Irish Refugee Council said that the statistics reflect “the increasing needs of people in the international protection process.”
The Irish NGO, headquartered in Dublin, described last year as “exceptional” as Ireland saw the arrival of 70,165 people from Ukraine alongside a record number of 13,649 international protection applicants arriving in Ireland.
“The invaluable support we received and continue to receive has allowed us to be there for the people we work with through one of the most challenging times in our 30 years of existence,” CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, Nick Henderson, said.
In its Impact Report for last year, the NGO said it offered “direct and substantial support” to over 11,000 people – a massive increase of 267 per cent from 2021 when 3,000 people received help from the NGO. Its helpline took more than 24,000 calls in 2022 compared to 15,000 the year prior, marking a 60 per cent increase.
Email queries also surged; it received 5,000 email queries, an increase of 733 per cent from 2021. In addition, 2,683 people received information support via the NGO’s Ukraine language information helpline.
In a piece written last June, Dr Matt Treacy highlighted spending by the Irish Refugee Council in 2020.
“The Irish Refugee Council is not short of a few bob, nor of the clout to ensure that they can persuade the state to spend money outside of what they themselves receive,” he wrote. Dr Treacy highlighted how, in 2020, the NGO had an income, almost entirely from the state and various foundations, of €970,284.
Of that, they spent €866,727 on “charitable activities.” He went on to explain that a considerable part of the charity work of the organisation consisted of paying their own staff, and office and admin costs, amounting to €727,772.
“So over 70% of their income goes to paying themselves and ensuring that their electric and social media accounts and so on don’t get cut off”.
Writing for Gript, he questioned how the NGO could have supported almost 300 people in accessing further and higher education via their annual grant system – as stated in their Oireachtas Committee submission – when other outgoings are taken into account.
In 2022, the NGO said that 67 students were awarded financial grants via their Education Fund, with an average grant of €650 awarded to recipients. The NGO said it received 297 applications for financial support via its Education Programme.
Mr Henderson’s comments come as it was revealed that 80 per cent of those who applied for the right to work in Ireland were successful, according to new data released by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
Asylum seekers being granted the right to work in Ireland stems back to 2018, when changes in European Union legislation were introduced. Since Ireland opted into the EU legislation in 2018, more than 12,000 asylum seekers have been allowed to work here.
The statistics published by the ESRI last week showed that 80 per cent of those who applied to work in Ireland were successful. The research was carried out as part of an EU-wide study by the European Migration Network.
Under the legislation, asylum seekers can apply for a work permit if they have been in Ireland for five months – and can expect to be granted permission one month later.
However, speaking to RTÉ’s Morning Ireland, Mr Henderson of the Irish Refugee Council slammed the way in which international protection applicants arriving here are treated.
Commenting on the figures, Mr Henderson claimed that the “rise of the far-right” gave the organisation grounds to be concerned.
“The continuous deterioration of standards in reception centres, homelessness, and the far-right rise present a darker reality for people seeking protection as we journey through 2023,” he said.
Mr Henderson said that once international protection applicants receive a €25 voucher, a document with information, and possible referral to the Capuchin Day Centre, they are simply left to take care of themselves on the streets of the capital.
“It is of such concern to us that there just doesn’t seem to be basic supports and services in place,” he told the programme. He added that while international protection applicants are entitled to a weekly payment, many are “unable” to access this – as he called for more comprehensive information to be given to people when they arrive here.
In its 2022 Impact Report breakdown, the Irish Refugee Council gave a break-down of supports provided. The NGO said that while it was a “difficult year,” it undertook advocacy and changed policy on a range of issues – adding that it was “proud” of its work.
It noted that 1,173 people had engaged with its drop-in services, while 80 people were accommodated in its “A Place To Call Home” housing programme. 37 new tenants moved into vacant properties with the help of the programme, while it helped process 221 housing applications and Housing Assistance Programme (HAP) paperwork.
It said 48 clients were given refugee status thanks to its help, while 24 were granted permission to remain, and 22 people were reunited with their families.