On this day, World Refugee Day – June 20th, we wanted to discuss how the Direct Provision Resettlement Programme we launched in 2017 has helped people leave Direct Provision and get the keys to their own home.

When we piloted the programme in March 2017 it was delivered in partnership with our colleagues at the Jesuit Refugee Service. Our team engaged with people in Clondalkin Towers, Dublin and Knockalisheen, Co. Clare.

The pilot was very successful, housing over 140 people from the two centres mentioned above. As a result of the success of our work, a national scheme was implemented in 2019 and is funded through the Department of Justice.

Providing pathways out of Direct Provision

Since launching in April 2019, Peter McVerry Trust’s Resettlement Service provides housing progression support across 31 accommodation centres throughout much of the southern half of Ireland.

The areas covered include Clare, Cork, Dublin, Kerry, Kildare, Laois, Limerick, Tipperary, Waterford, Wicklow and Westmeath, where there are currently approximately 700 people staying in accommodation centres.

People we have helped

Esther was in Clondalkin Towers when our team engaged with her and supported Esther and her family into their own home.

“It is very, very good for children to have their own home because now they know they are not different from other families,” Esther said.

You can listen to Esther’s story below.

Right to Housing

In Peter McVerry Trust’s efforts to combat inequality and create a society of inclusion, we continue to campaign for the right to a home to be inserted into the Constitution. We welcome the reference to a referendum on citizens’ right to a home mentioned in the proposed programme for government draft published on June 15th.

In December 1989, Ireland ratified the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, which includes the right to housing. In the 30 years since ratification Ireland has made no progress in enshrining that right in our Constitution or laws.

In relation to Direct Provision, we are encouraged by plans in the proposed programme for government to abolish the current system within the next five years and replace it with a new international protection accommodation policy which takes a not-for-profit approach.