Asylum seekers will not face Clondalkin Tower Hotel evictions

By Maurice Garvey

ASYLUM seekers in the Towers Hotel who have received some form of status to remain in the country, will not face eviction, according to Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald.

Last month, The Echo learned that a number of Direct Provision residents in the Tower Hotel with temporary citizenship status received letters to vacate the hotel despite not finding alternative accommodation.

This is disputed by the Minister, who in response to a parliamentary question from Sinn Féin TD Eoin Ó Broin, said the “Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) has never threatened to evict any persons from its accommodation centres who have been granted leave to remain or any other form of status.”

Minister Fitzgerald said: “The RIA has always continued to provide such persons with continued accommodation until they secure their own private accommodation.

“RIA are particularly mindful of the reality of the housing situation in the State and the pressures on the community welfare service in respect of rent supplement or the city and county councils in respect of housing assistance payments and housing lists.”

Deputy Ó Broin welcomed the commitment from the Minister but says “many remain trapped in Direct Provision.”

He said: “There are over 500 former asylum seekers who have been granted residency status but remain trapped in Direct Provision. Up to 40 of these people live in Clondalkin Towers.

“High rents and shortage of rental properties is making is almost impossible for these families to secure permanent accommodation.”

Deputy Ó Broin said the situation is made worse as former asylum seekers still receive the Direct Provision payment of just €19.50 per week and remain trapped in the system.

“I have written to Minister for Housing and Minister for Justice urging them to adopt a cross-departmental approach to provide additional supports to these families,” he said.