Author
In the Direct Provision system, no differential treatment of different nationalities has been noted to date. There have been comparisons drawn between Direct Provision and EROC, the latter of which tends to have a wider array of orientation and integration supports to assist relocated and resettled refugees – who are predominantly Syrian. Most recently, in December 2020, plans announced for the transfer of 86 Syrian refugees to the Ballaghaderreen Emergency Reception and Orientation centre (EROC) in Co. Roscommon under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.[1]
Following the onset of the humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, approximately 510 Afghan nationals obtained visas and visa waivers to travel to Ireland pursuant to the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP). According to most recently available statistics, 394 individuals have travelled to Ireland to-date with this figure expected to increase.[2] The first group of evacuated refugees arriving in August 2021.[3] In the experience of the Irish Refugee Council, as of January 2023, newly arrived Afghan refugees are being accommodated at one of three Emergency and Orientation Reception Centres in Mosney, Co. Meath, Clonea, Co. Waterford and Balaghaderren, Co. Roscommon.[4]
[1] RTÉ, Call for liason with HSE ahead of refugees’ arrival, 2 December 2020, available at: https://bit.ly/37fxuE7.
[2] RTÉ, 394 Afghan refugees have arrived in Ireland since Taliban took control, 8 December 2021, available at: https://bit.ly/3JU9CYj.
[3] The Journal, First group of evacuated Afghan refugees to arrive in Ireland this evening, 23 August 2021, available at: https://bit.ly/3F3dSkE.
[4] Information provided by Irish Refugee Council Resettlement Caseworker, January 2023.