Top Irish civil servants believe that as many as 180,000 asylum seekers could be resident in the country by the end of 2023, according to a report by RTÉ.
The state broadcaster alleges that briefing material compiled by “senior civil servants” and released under a Freedom Of Information request predicts a continued surge in asylum claims this year, similar to the numbers that arrived last year.
Up to 180,000 people could be seeking refuge here by the end of the year according to a document compiled by senior civil servantshttps://t.co/Q5GY1XCq2S
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) February 2, 2023
The figures were reportedly compiled for Fine Gael TD Hildegarde Naughton. Naughton is both the Government’s Chief Whip, and a Minister of State at the Department of Health.
According to RTÉ’s report, the December briefing said that between Ukrainian arrivals and international protection applicants, Ireland could expect around 90,000 refugee arrivals by the end of 2022, and “up to twice that by the end of 2023” – i.e. 180,000.
The true number of arrivals in 2022 was less than 90,000, but not by much, totalling around 83,000 by the end of that year.
The number of non-Ukrainian asylum applicants in 2022 was the highest Ireland has experienced in 20 years.
According to the HSE report, 18,000 asylum seekers in Ireland are currently receiving healthcare from the HSE, with 13,000 of these arriving to the country just last year.
In addition, 50,000 medical cards were reportedly issued to Ukrainian arrivals, and “just over half” of these refugees were assigned a GP.
The development comes after Green Party TD and Minister of State at the Department of Integration, Joe O’Brien, has said that Ireland should prepare to accommodate an extra 80,000 asylum seekers this year.
Government should plan for over 80,000 migrants to come into Ireland this year – new integration Minister Joe O'Brien – https://t.co/yaK6wUOIqF https://t.co/Ao2xty44lm
— IBN-Berlin (@IBN_Berlin) January 23, 2023
Integration Minister Roderic O’Gorman has already warned that there may be no place for refugees who arrive in Ireland, as several asylum seekers have already ended up homeless.
Minister of State for Integration Joe O’Brien said on Saturday morning that the 55 people who arrived between Tuesday and Thursday and were homeless have now been found temporary accommodation.https://t.co/Q5eOaKiBEa
— The Irish Times (@IrishTimes) January 28, 2023
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