Women and children seeking asylum are living in overcrowded and outdated centres where they fear for their safety and face intimidation and racism, it was claimed today.
An African women’s group maintained residents are sexually harassed and are in fear of private management firms who control the country’s 52 reception centres.
Salome Mbugua, of AkiDwA, said there was a feeling a helplessness and hopelessness among mothers, and called on Government to take more responsibility over the running of the units.
“The safety and security of women and their children is paramount,” Ms Mbugua said.
“Women living in direct provision can be vulnerable, isolated and excluded from mainstream society and we must ensure that their rights are protected and needs met.”
AkiDwA said almost 3,000 women and young girls live in reception centres while their application for asylum is being processed - some for up to six years.
The agency’s new report on conditions highlighted a lack of appropriate staffing, training and Garda vetting.
The study Am Only Saying It Now also revealed long stays in centres had a huge impact on the physical and mental health of women and children.
“The centres are very institutionalised with so many people who are not related,” continued Ms Mbugua, who wrote the report based on testimonies of 121 women in 10 different centres.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) is responsible for co-ordinating the provision of services to both asylum seekers and refugees, with the running contracted to private management firms.
Ms Mbugua recommended Government has an independent audit of its policy on direct care provision, require all centre staff undergo mandatory training and Garda vetting, and create a transparent, independent and confidential complaints mechanism.
She also called for separate women-only supportive accommodation, especially for victims of sexual and gender-based violence and trafficking.
“Families are sometimes allowed together, but there is a problem because centres have women with children and single men,” said Ms Mbugua. “The women fear quite a lot for their teenage daughters and children who are running around with people they don’t know.”
Catherine Joyce, of children’s charity Barnardos, said she was concerned about the impact the direct provision system is having on children.
“They live in situations that can represent significant child protection risks,” she added.
The Department of Justice maintained all complaints concerning the safety of residents in reception centres were taken seriously by RIA and centre managers, with allegations of criminal activity reported to the Garda.
A spokeswoman stated a child protection policy, based on the Children First National Guidelines, was introduced and implemented in 2006 with staff trained to recognise and report abuse.
PA