ABOUT 40 asylum seekers, including some 20 children, were last night accommodated in a Dublin hostel after travelling from Co Galway to the Department of Justice to call for a transfer from their direct provision accommodation.
The group, from countries including Georgia, Pakistan, Nigeria and Israel, travelled from Clifden to hand in a letter to the department about what they say are “unbearable” conditions at the Dun Gibbons hostel. Most have been staying there for about 18 months while awaiting decisions on their asylum applications.
Asylum seekers are accommodated under a system known as “direct provision”, where they get a weekly welfare payment of €19.10 and full-board accommodation.
The group had a number of complaints about the Clifden centre, including that the food was boring and not always fresh, that bed-linen was not cleaned regularly, that there were no toys for children, and that staff were rude and sometimes intimidating.
Toyin Ayodele, from Nigeria, has stayed at Dun Gibbons for almost two years with her husband and five children. “I would rather sleep outside in the streets than go back there,” said Ms Ayodele.
“This is not a protest,” she added. “We just want to be heard.”
Patricia Dunford, manager of the Dun Gibbons hostel, said it was inspected regularly by the department and rigorously adhered to all food, health and safety guidelines.
A department official gave the group forms to apply for a transfer and arrangements were made to accommodate them for “one night” in Dublin. The group say they will not return to Clifden.
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