| |
|
JRS Ireland
Political Developments -
www.jrs.ie
During 2008, the number of asylum applications fell by
just over 3%, to 3,866 for the year, in contrast to
3,985 in 2007. Applications for asylum in 2008 are one
third of peak level of 11,634 received in 2002. The
Refugee Recognition Rate at First Instance fell to 6.4%
in 2008 from 9.1% in 2007.
As of 16th November 2008, 999 people were granted leave
to remain. 852 people were granted leave to remain in
2007.
In 2007 there were 1,249 committals in respect of
immigration issues involving 1,145 detainees. This
represents an increase of 3% over the 1,113 persons
detained in 2006. There was an average daily number of
persons in custody in 2007 under this category of 24, a
significant reduction on the average number in 2006 of
45.
There were 162 deportations to non-EU countries last
year and 271 transfers back to other EU states under
Dublin II. In addition to these, 519 people who would
otherwise have been deported chose to be assisted with
returning home voluntarily. This compares with 416
people who opted for voluntary repatriation in 2007.
A revised Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill
2008, which sets out comprehensive statutory procedures
for the various stages of the asylum and immigration
processes, was published in January 2008. The Select
Committee on Justice, Equality, Defence and Women’s
Rights received 58 written submissions on the draft
legislation from interested parties. At the Committee
Stage of the Bill over 700 amendments were considered.
The Bill is now entering the final drafting stage and is
expected to be passed into law early in 2009.
Ireland’s extraordinary economic reversal during 2008
resulted in serious cutbacks in public funding for the
sector. The National Consultative Committee on Racism
and Interculturalism (NCCRI) closed down when the
Government terminated their funding.
|
|
 |
|
JRS Activities
There was a strategic review of the work of JRS Ireland in
January 2008 arising from a decision not to seek a renewal of
funding from the European Refugee Fund. As a result, JRS Ireland
decided to refocus its work and resources into developing
services and activities for asylum seekers in state provided
accommodation centres. JRS Ireland aims to expand its existing
language services, to develop capacity building activities and
to provide outreach and psychosocial support to people seeking
asylum.
Language classes
JRS Ireland
expanded its language support services significantly during 2008
with one-to-one tutoring projects in Belvedere College and Hatch
Hall in Dublin city and in Clongowes College in Kildare.
Detention
JRS Ireland
continued its weekly outreach and psychosocial support service
to women detained under immigration provisions in the Dochas
Centre (the women’s prison in Dublin). A second staff member who
speaks Mandarin visits the Chinese immigration detainees weekly.
The JRS Ireland Detention & Outreach Officer is recognised as a
visiting chaplain to Cloverhill Prison, where male immigrant
detainees are held. In total 182 persons detained under
immigration provisions were visited throughout the year. Overall
there were 460 visits, which translate into an average of 2.5
visits per detainee.
Education and training courses
In
September 2008, at the invitation of the Accommodation Centre
staff, JRS Ireland started a Homework Club in Clondalkin Towers.
The homework club is held twice a week when the children return
from school. 11 children attend on a regular basis.
In Hatch Hall there were 7 Personal Development Courses and 12
Training Classes organised by JRS Ireland. In total there were
45 individual asylum seekers who completed 114 activities. A
training course for teacher’s in February 2008 was attended by
25 teachers and other education stakeholders.
Employment Rights
JRS Ireland
developed a new employment rights project in 2008. Working with
Crosscare, this project provides information, advice and support
to non Irish Nationals who experience exploitation in the
workplace. 84 individuals were supported through 278
interventions.
Intercultural Activities
Over the
months of July and August JRS coordinated an extensive Summer
Programme of activities including weekly swimming sessions, art
classes, astronomy workshops as well as a trip to Glenroe Farm,
a picnic at the beach and a Family Fun Day. In all 142 children
seeking asylum participated in the programme of events. Also,
during 2008 there was a very successful Easter Egg Hunt and
Christmas Toy Appeal.
Outreach
JRS Ireland
increased their accompaniment and support for asylum seekers in
state provided accommodation centres. In Dublin there was
outreach to 80 asylum seekers in 5 centres (Balseskin, Georgian
Court, Hatch Hall, Clondalkin Towers and Kilmacud House).
In Limerick a Vulnerable Asylum Seekers project was started in
September 2008. Psychosocial support and outreach was provided
to 20 persons seeking asylum.
Advocacy
During 2008
JRS Ireland made written submissions on the Immigration,
Residency and Protection Bill and Intercultural Education
Strategy. JRS Ireland enjoyed an increased public profile in
print and on radio. JRS Ireland was the only Irish NGO visited
by the OECD as part of its Thematic Review on Migrant Education
in Europe.
Publications
JRS Ireland
had a very successful launch of a Guide for Migrant Parents on
the Irish Education System published in 8 languages (2,350
guides distributed). The Interfaith and Intercultural Calendar
2008 was widely circulated (1,760 calendars disseminated).
Finally, a revised school folder was developed (80 folders
purchased).
Contact Details |
|
|
Mr Eugene Quinn, Country
Director
Jesuit Centre for Faith & Justice
26 Upper Sherrard Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: +353 1 855 6814 - Fax: +353 1 836 4377
ireland(a)jrs.net
|
To send an email, just replace the (a)
with @.
|
