Social Affairs Correspondent
A HEALTH board service providing welfare payments for refugees has closed following what the trade union, IMPACT, called a "near riot" on Monday morning. The Eastern Health Board says it plans to move the service to alternative, temporary accommodation tomorrow.
Monday's incident occurred when some 100 refugees gathered outside the Castle Street office, beside Dublin Castle. Some had been there from 7 a.m. and they included families who had just arrived in Ireland. Health board officials called gardai to help control the crowd and scuffles broke out.
Yesterday morning, the officials refused to work at the office and reported to health board headquarters at Dr Steeven's Hospital. A notice in the window at the Castle Street office gave a free phone telephone number for refugees to contact.
The EHB said the number of refugees arriving was creating difficulties for staff. They were now providing services for 300 refugees a week and 100 new refugees were arriving each week.
According to IMPACT assistant general secretary, Mr Sean McHugh, four community welfare officers "have dealt with more cases this year - 2,500 than in the whole of 1996 - under 900 and figures for April suggest a new.
Mr McHugh said the four officials have to administer supplementary welfare payments and rent allowances, arrange emergency shelter in hostels, B&Bs and hotels and ensure payments go only to genuine applicants.
The Irish Refugee Council said yesterday that people unable to get a service at Castle Street had been calling to its offices and it had sent them to the EHB headquarters in Dr Steeven's Hospital.