Updated: 5pm
The Government is facing criticism after dozens of people who had been sleeping in tents outside the International Protection Office in Dublin have been moved to a location outside the city.
Up to 200 men had been living in tents on Mount Street due to a lack of accommodation for male asylum seekers.
On Saturday morning, the international protection applicants were transported to an accommodation area in Crooksling, south-west Dublin, where it is understood food, toilet, and shower facilities will be provided.
The encampment of tents was cleared by a cleaning team which arrived shortly after their departure.
Refugee charities had previously called the conditions on Mount Street "unmanaged, uncontrolled and inhumane". However, many have now questioned the decision to move the international protection applicants ahead of St Patrick's Day.
"It’s pretty obvious to us that the reason they are here is because Paddy’s Day is coming," community volunteer Lena Seale said.
"We’re going to be flooded with tourists, and I think they see these men as eyesores, not as human beings, and they’re not serious about providing a real solution."
No matter what pretty picture is presented for St Patrick's Day, our international reputation is in tatters.
Dublin Communities Against Racism (DCAR) expressed concern that the decision to move the international protection applicants was made "without addressing the central issue".
"Today they were removed to an isolated area outside of the city, where they were simply handed tents and sleeping bags, but without any essential facilities.
"This was clearly done to present a nice picture of the city for tourists and foreign media during Saint Patrick's Day celebrations," the group said.
DCAR added: "The treatment of International Protection applicants by the Irish Government grows worse with every day. It mirrors the views of the far right and is a stain on our national reputation.
"No matter what pretty picture is presented for St Patrick's Day, our international reputation is in tatters."
Social Rights Ireland (SRI) also criticised the move, labelling it a "St Patrick's Day clean-up operation".
"The Government is showing total contempt for the basic rights and human dignity of
asylum seekers," the group said, adding: "They are choosing to conceal the problem rather than solve it."
In a statement, SRI said moving the international protection applicants out of the city is a "cynical and profoundly irresponsible ploy by the Government to remove the embarrassing spectacle of a refugee encampment from the centre of the city on St Patrick’s weekend, when many tourists are visiting Dublin".
Accommodation offers
According to figures published by the Department of Integration, there are 1,260 people who have applied for international protection in the State who are still waiting for an offer of accommodation.
The Taoiseach previously said the Government was "doing all that we can" to find suitable accommodation, adding that women, families and men with particular vulnerabilities are being prioritised.
There were 13,000 applications for asylum in the State in 2022, a 415 per cent increase in the number of asylum applications compared with 2021, and a 186 per cent increase on 2019.
In a tweet on Saturday morning, Labour TD Aodhán Ó Ríordáin wrote: "Am hearing all the men have been bussed out of Mount Street this morning. Amazing what some political pressure can do. Should never have taken an outbreak of disease to get to this point."
Later, he added: "Feels like gout [sic] are playing a game with this issue. Images we’ve seen are of men being handed tents to pitch up in a field. This is genuinely disgraceful."
The department said in a statement: "This morning, the department has offered alternative shelter to all international protection applicants camped at Mount Street.
"All those who accepted the offer will be provided tented accommodation at a site in Crooksling, where food, personal toiletries, toilet and shower facilities are also available.
"The department will engage with HSE and healthcare providers in order to ensure the wellbeing of those on site.
"The department has engaged closely with Dublin City Council regarding the situation at Mount Street, and DCC has confirmed that the site at Mount Street will be cleaned following the removal of the tents currently there.
"More broadly, the situation in relation to accommodation remains very challenging. The supply of available accommodation is severely diminished.
"What accommodation can be opened at this point is primarily being utilised for families in order to avoid women and children becoming homeless. Since January, approximately 2,400 beds have been brought into use for those seeking accommodation."
