‘No matter who comes in, no one leaves hungry’
Capuchin centre prepares for a surge in demand for meals as Citywest closes doors to new International Protection applicants
THE Capuchin Day Centre has welcomed more than 100 asylum seekers this week as the State struggles to cope with the number of new arrivals, but the charity insists: ‘No one will be turned away.’
Homeless charities are under increased pressure as the Government struggles to find accommodation for International Protection applicants.
It’s now estimated that it may take up to five weeks before new arrivals are provided with a bed.
The refugee reception centre at Citywest in Dublin has been forced to close to new arrivals, with reports that some were forced to sleep rough in recent days.
The Capuchin Day Centre in Dublin, which has fed vulnerable people for over 50 years, was warned by the Government to expect much larger numbers than usual due to the temporary halt on offers of accommodation to
‘We can’t provide accommodation’
single adults arriving in Ireland.
Manager Alan Bailey told the Irish Daily Mail that the centre, near Smithfield in the north city, serves 200 to 600 meals a day. However, on Wednesday morning, the staff and volunteers prepared to feed an additional 100 people.
‘When we got word from the Government, we all came in at 6am to be geared up and ready for what we thought would be an influx,’ Mr Bailey said.
‘That surge hasn’t happened yet, but we expect it to in the coming days based on previous experiences. I’m confident we would be able to meet any demand as long as we’re given advanced notice.
‘I have to pay tribute to our staff because they’re unfazed by the extra numbers. Our message we want to send out is that, no matter who comes in, we’ll make sure no one leaves hungry.’
Asked if he thinks the Government has become too reliant on homeless services, Mr Bailey said: ‘The Government has assured us that any additional expense on our end would be covered, but unfortunately we can’t provide accommodation. We would love to, but we’re flat out every day serving meals and providing much-needed facilities like showers and healthcare.
‘Previously, when refugees were sleeping in Dublin Airport, they came to us every day for their meals. We supplied them with bus tickets to get here and back, and although we couldn’t provide a bed for them they were grateful for the help they received.’
Homeless services are under more pressure than ever because of the influx of asylum seekers and a record 11,632 people in emergency accommodation, according to the latest figures published yesterday.
Charity Tiglin has said an average 310 International Protection applicants arrive in Ireland each week. Chairman Aubrey McCarthy said there is a huge increase in demand for its services.
‘What has happened is, the main hub at Citywest – which was set up to hold 370 people – has 858 people staying there,’ he told Newstalk. ‘That is not correct and it can’t continue.’
He described Tiglin’s homeless services as ‘bursting at the seams’, saying it would normally serve dinner to 250 people daily, but has seen a 30% increase this week. He said the thought of people sleeping rough in doorways is upsetting and the Government must look at housing people in vacant buildings, adding: ‘It needs to be an all-party, allGovernment response to it, so that we can deal with this shortage, which is going to last, I would say, until mid-February.’
A spokesman for the Department of Integration told the Irish Daily Mail that a total of 55 asylum seekers could not be offered any State-provided accommodation this week.
‘Since the beginning of 2022, Ireland has accommodated more than 73,000 people who have fled here,’ the spokesman said.
He added: ‘Any International Protection applicants who are not provided with accommodation upon arrival or when applying... will have their details taken and be contacted as soon as accommodation becomes available.’