The number of people helped by the Irish Refugee Council climbed by 267% in a single year.
According to RTÉ:
It described 2022 as “an exceptional year” with the arrival of 70,165 Ukrainians fleeing war alongside a record number of 13,649 international protection applicants seeking refuge 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,” Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council said.
According to its 2022 Impact Report, it provided “direct and substantial support” to more than 11,000 people, an increase of 267% on 2021 when it supported 3,000 people.
The organisation’s helplines received more than 24,000 calls last year compared to 15,000 in 2021, a 60% increase.
Most of these queries came via its regular helpline number, which received 21,873 calls, but 2,683 calls were also made to its Ukrainian language information helpline.
It also received 5,000 email queries, up from 600 in 2021, and an increase of 733%.
Mr Henderson has warned that 2023 is shaping up to be another challenging year.
“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,” Mr Henderson said.
According to the latest figures released by the Department of Children, Equality, Integration, Disability and Youth to RTÉ News, as of Thursday evening a record number of 371 recently arrived international protection applicants were without State provided accommodation.
Since 24 January, and close of business on 23 March, a total of 693 adult asylum seekers were told there was no accommodation available when they initially presented seeking international protection.
322 have since been offered a space, but just one offer has been made since 8 March.
