Latest news with #ColmBrophy
Irish Times
27-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Ministers accused of giving ‘half the picture' on refugees as more than 40% get positive decisions
More than 40 per cent of asylum seekers were granted International Protection or permission to remain in the last year, a higher proportion than suggested by Ministers in recent weeks. The Government has been accused by campaigners of presenting 'only half the picture' in public statements on refusal rates. An analysis of Department of Justice data highlights that almost twice as many applicants ultimately gained protection in their final outcomes compared to the figures that Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan and Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy chose. In February, Mr O'Callaghan said 'too many' people were applying for asylum who were 'not entitled' to it, citing an 80 per cent refusal figure that applies only to first decisions and not appeals. Mr Brophy has also cited the rate. READ MORE In the 13 months to April, 43 per cent of decisions on asylum applications resulted in the individual getting refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain, data published in the department's monthly International Protection Summary reports shows. Mr O'Callaghan said 80 per cent of asylum seekers' applications were 'refused in the first instance' in January. He said more than 65 per cent of the 14,000 applicants last year were rejected at the first instance. [ International protection overhaul an 'important step' in wider reform, Minister says Opens in new window ] However, when appeals decisions are included, the 2024 rejection rate falls to 58 per cent, according to department's reports. When a person applies for International Protection, a 'first instance' decision is reached as to their eligibility for refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain on humanitarian grounds. If their application is rejected, they have a right to appeal and may be granted permission to remain. Data from the department on first-instance decisions show that to the end of April, of the 7,269 asylum applications, 75 per cent were refused. However, when appeals results are included, the refusal rate falls to 62 per cent. Last year, of the 14,125 asylum applications processed, 9,207, or 65 per cent, were refused at first instance. The inclusion of appeal decisions brings the refusal rate down by 7 per cent. [ More than 15,000 international protection appeals could be lodged this year, Minister told Opens in new window ] In some months, more than half of decisions were to grant status – notably in August 2024, when the grant rate was 59 per cent, April 2024, when it was 53 per cent, and in May 2024, when 50 per cent of decisions were positive. Nick Henderson, Irish Refugee Council chief executive, said its analysis found 42 per cent of decisions since January 2024 were to grant International Protection or permission to remain. 'The final, overall recognition rate is considerably higher than the rate cited by the Government and some Opposition spokespersons. 'It is essential that data is presented accurately and not selectively... Referencing only first-instance recognition rates ... presents only half the picture. [ 'I was very upset about how Coolock came across': Locals believe handling of asylum-seeker centre plan a 'disaster' Opens in new window ] 'Second, selectively citing the lower rate risks creating a false impression that the vast majority of applicants do not need protection – when that is not the case.' A departmental spokesman said: 'The figures quoted by the Minister refer to first-instance decisions. 'Many cases in the system are currently being processed under an accelerated procedure and overall, there has been a significant increase in throughput in the International Protection system too. It is therefore likely that the final determination figures will eventually 'catch up' and, in time, align more proportionally with first-instance decisions.'
Irish Times
21-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Refugees in Ireland: is the Government getting the balance right?
The unprecedented increase in the numbers of people coming to Ireland seeking International Protection due to war or oppression in their homeland put serious pressure on State resources since 2023. The new Government has signalled a tougher approach to the issue, and has claimed some success. Are their reforms working, and is the tougher messaging appropriate? Hugh is joined by Colm Brophy TD, Minister of State for Migration, Madeleine Allen, policy and advocacy officer with the Irish Refugee Council, and Irish Times political correspondent Harry McGee.
Irish Times
18-05-2025
- Politics
- Irish Times
Coolock U-turn does not offer protesters model for blocking asylum seeker centres elsewhere, says Minister
Minister of State for Integration Colm Brophy has denied that the Government has provided anti-immigration protesters with a model for blocking asylum seeker accommodation after the scrapping of plans for a centre in Coolock. Last week the Department of Justice scrapped plans to open a controversial 547-bed facility at the privately-owned former Crown Paints site in the north Dublin suburb. The site was the scene of violent clashes last year between gardaí and protesters. There has been Opposition criticism of the Government in the wake of the U-turn. READ MORE On Sunday, Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin argued that the Government had 'made a bags' of the plans to locate the accommodation centre for people seeking international protection in Coolock. He told RTÉ radio the proposal 'could have been a template for a success story' but he criticised the level of consultation with the community and said: 'we felt that the protesters had more information than anybody who was trying to work with a sense of goodwill'. 'And it feels now, at this point, that the protesters effectively have won because the project has been pulled.' In an email to local representatives last week, the Department of Justice said the prolonged nature of the proposed centre's progress through development and planning were 'significant factors' in the decision to drop the project. 'All offers of international protection accommodation are appraised according to a range of factors, including the site and its potential, value for money to the State, planning matters and any works required to meet the required standards,' the message stated. Speaking on the same broadcast as Mr Ó Ríordáin on Sunday, Mr Brophy said he and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan want to see the International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) programme 'led by having state-acquired property, state-run, IPAS centres'. He said that 'in the long run' it is a 'process that will actually be good for the taxpayer'. Mr Brophy also said: 'We will still have a requirement for IPAS centres' and added: 'we do learn from every experience, and particularly around things like community engagement'. Put to him that the U-turn on the Coolock site has provided a model for those opposed to such centres elsewhere, Mr Brophy replied: 'No, because that won't actually work. 'What is actually important to remember is that we have many, many IPAS centres operating right around the country. 'We have very good community buy-in, and we have communities and people who are in IPAS centres, working together, coming together, regarding themselves as part of a greater or more integrated community.' Mr Brophy added: 'We have a model, we believe, through our community engagement team – and through the work that myself and Minister O'Callahan want to do in this area to make sure that we will have a programme which has also got a very good state-owned and state run facilities. 'And I think that's going to be part of making the operation of IPAS a success.' On Saturday The Irish Times reported that the Government is planning a significant expansion of asylum seeker accommodation at Dublin's Citywest Hotel as it closes in on a purchase of the facility worth at least €100 million. The hotel has been a cornerstone of the State's response to a surge in migration, with Government sources now saying the final steps are being taken towards a purchase of the 764-bedroom hotel, which has been expected since before Christmas. It is believed that if the plan is put in place, it will potentially lead to a doubling of the capacity there – with indications that up to 1,000 more people could be accommodated. Cabinet is expected to consider the purchase, possibly as soon as Tuesday.
RTÉ News
18-05-2025
- Politics
- RTÉ News
Coolock IPAS U-turn due to State property focus
Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy has said the U-turn by the Department of Justice on housing asylum seekers in Coolock was due to the move towards State-acquired properties and State IPAS centres. He told RTÉ's This Week programme that this policy shift would be good for the taxpayer. On Friday, it emerged that the Department of Justice had reversed a plan to house asylum seekers at the site of a former paint factory in Coolock in Dublin. The proposal had seen prolonged local opposition. The Department said that planning delays were one of the reasons for the decision along with value for money, required works and residents' welfare. Mr Brophy denied that the Government had handed a template to protesters on how to thwart plans for a centre in their area. Labour MEP Aodhán Ó Ríordáin said the coalition had made "a bags of the move and a bags of the announcement" by not having a representative available on Friday when the news emerged. He said there was a lot of goodwill for the project with all political parties and local representatives on board. The MEP said it felt like "the protesters had won" and he added that he believed it would take years for the tensions in the area to dissipate. Yesterday, it was reported that the Government was understood to be looking into purchasing the Citywest Hotel in west Dublin in order to significantly expand accommodation for asylum seekers on the site. Minister Brophy said he cannot comment on potential Government plans to purchase the Citywest Hotel. A memo on the issue will be brought to Cabinet tomorrow. Mr Brophy said that because he was a Minister of State, he was therefore not a member of Cabinet. "I'm a Minister of State. I am not aware of what goes into Cabinet on Tuesday, I want to be absolutely clear," he said. Mr Brophy said that both himself and Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan were in favour of State-owned refugee accommodation. "Myself and Minister O'Callaghan are actively supporting a State-run and purchased scheme, where we will own and provide services directly by the state," he said.
Extra.ie
12-05-2025
- Politics
- Extra.ie
Revealed: Thousands of Ukrainians to be told to go by August
Some 4,000 Ukrainian refugees face being moved out of their current homes, as pressure on privately supplied accommodation eases. The Government's move is expected to release a significant tranche of hotel rooms and accommodation normally designated for students. The decision will be announced by Minister of State for Migration Colm Brophy today and will be cleared by the Cabinet tomorrow. Colm Brophy. 'Ukrainians will be getting a tap on the shoulder on Monday [today] and will be expected to be out of their accommodations by August,' one source said. It is a move that will be welcomed by rural TDs who have faced protests in areas where there is a shortage of hotel rooms and community facilities. The Government 'temporarily paused' moves to relocate Ukrainian refugees after a series of local controversies over the uprooting of Ukrainian families, who had put down roots in Ireland, in March. Pic: Getty Images Payments under the Homes For Ukraine scheme, which paid €800 to people hosting Ukrainian refugees here, will be cut by 25% to €600 next month. One Government source told 'Ukrainians are still welcome, it is just that we are engaging in a process where we are moving towards the European norm. 'Ireland can't be offering better deals. A rationalisation of accommodation services is simply part of this process. 'The number of Ukrainians has reduced from 114,000 to 80,000. A lot of hotels have seen significant reductions in the number of Ukrainians. They are almost like 'ghost hotels' so can be restored to their original purpose.' Minister Brophy confirmed plans to move 4,000 Ukrainians will be announced today, saying: 'This is part of a rationalisation process. The number of Ukrainians has reduced from 114,000 to 80,000.' He added: 'A lot of properties involved are hotel accommodation and student accommodation. Accommodation has reduced significantly in certain hotels, and student accommodation is desperately needed, so, in short, maintaining them as asylum centres no longer makes sense.'
