Community Demands Return of Refugee Family Moved 140km Away

A community in County Kerry is advocating for a refugee family to be allowed to return home after they were relocated over 140 kilometers to Tipperary with little notice. The family, who fled Afghanistan two years ago to escape Taliban persecution, has been granted refugee status and is currently living in International Protection Accommodation Service (Ipas) accommodation. The father, who requested anonymity to protect his family’s privacy, expressed that remaining in Kerry is crucial for completing his college course at Kerry College before next summer.

The father stated that education is essential for securing stable employment and providing for his wife and children. He reported that the family was relocated on Friday, receiving only ten days’ notice for the move. The abrupt change disrupted their stable life in Kerry, where one of their daughters is enrolled in a local school. “My education is the only hope that I have to give my family stability in life,” he said, emphasizing the importance of his studies.

Many families in Ipas accommodation are facing similar challenges. They have been asked to move to distant centers, which they resist due to fears of losing their established support networks and community ties. Jim O’Callaghan, Minister for Justice, described this practice as “abusing” the system, noting that many asylum seekers lack stable accommodation despite having legal status.

The Ipas system typically requires residents to move once their legal status is granted. However, a recent report from the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) found that 41% of residents who received refugee status were unable to secure alternative housing due to the ongoing housing crisis in Ireland. The family’s new accommodation reportedly lacks heating and hot water, leading to protests outside the center. The father shared his wife’s fears, rooted in her traumatic experiences with the Taliban, which prevent her from allowing their children to play outside.

The family expressed that this sudden relocation has made them feel as though their progress in Ireland has been reversed. “I came here for a secure life but I haven’t been this vulnerable in my life,” he stated. He fears he will be unable to complete his exams and obtain his qualification unless they can return to Kerry.

Letters from the father’s college, his daughter’s school, and a local doctor have been sent to the Department of Justice, advocating for the family’s situation to be reconsidered. The principal of his daughter’s school noted that she is “thriving” and that moving her would disrupt her education and support systems, potentially causing long-term adverse effects on her wellbeing. The school referenced the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, urging the department to prioritize the child’s best interests.

The director of the father’s course at Kerry College praised him as a “top student” and highlighted his potential for employment upon completion of his studies. The director asserted that the degree cannot be finished remotely, emphasizing the need for the family to return to their community.

In response to the family’s appeal, the Department of Justice stated that while it cannot comment on individual cases, Ipas teams strive to minimize disruptions and can make special considerations for those with medical needs or who are preparing for exams. It acknowledged the challenges of the accommodation system, noting that residents may need to move due to various reasons, including compliance and operational changes.

The Ipas accommodation system includes 318 centres across Ireland, with the European Commission against Racism and Intolerance (ECRI) criticizing the system for its reliance on privately-run centres funded by the state. The ECRI has called for improved access to basic amenities and safer, non-discriminatory housing for asylum seekers.

The community continues to rally for the family, underscoring the significant human impact of these policy decisions and the urgent need for solutions in light of Ireland’s ongoing housing crisis.