‘Listen to stories of migrants and ignore far right elements’ - Lawes

A NAVAN councillor has urged to the public to be aware of the dangers of listening to far right elements who are whipping up hate against asylum seekers and migrants.

Cllr Alan Lawes said while people may have genuine concerns about accommodation, facilities for those seeking international protection, he warned that there is a campaign by far right agitators who are spreading lies about asylum seekers and refugees receiving all sorts of benefits when they come here.

“There are people deliberately spreading misinformation about asylum seekers getting council housing, social welfare and everything handed to them - this is definitely not the case. They have lived for years in direct provision and cannot get social welfare,” he said. “I have met many former asylum seekers who are productive members of society, even running businesses, but there is a certain group of people who insist on calling them spongers.”

Cllr Lawes recalled horrifying scenes last year where protesters gathered in Finglas were shouting “Burn them out, burn them out” referring to asylum seekers.

“If they are allowed to keep spreading this hatred, someone will be killed,” he warned.

“I have dealt with vulnerable people from all walks of life, helping the homeless and Travellers. I have met with many asylum seekers and I know they are not able to collect social welfare.

“They don't get social welfare, they don't get council housing, they suffer for years in Direct Provision. It is important that the people know the truth, that they hear these peoples' stories.

“So many of those who came through the asylum and direct provision system have become productive members of society.

“Now the taxes they are paying are contributing to social housing and other important costs of the state.”

Cllr Lawes points out that there would never have been a Celtic Tiger if it had not been for migrant workers. "We needed workers coming in then, and it is getting to that stage again, our economy needs workers."

“It is important that people realise that the misinformation is being driven by the far right. It is important to separate those on the far right and those with genuine worries about jobs and accommodation. The government needs to look at how how to help these people.”

Tinu Achioya Programme Manager for Cultúr Migrants centre agreed that the asylum process is quite difficult and those seeking international protection cannot access social welfare.

“When they arrive they are placed in direct provision and get over €20 a week. After six months they are allowed to work and they start looking for jobs. This has only been possible in the last two or three years. Prior to that people in direct provision weren’t allowed to work and were just given €19.”

At the moment the government wont guarantee accommodation for those who arrive seeking international protection.

“Many of them were in direct provision for years and became institutionalised. When someone gains residency and can leave direct provision, they very often cannot go anywhere else.

There are people in Mosney at the moment who now have residency but cannot afford housing, they don't have the deposit to get a house and so they have to stay for longer in direct provision accommodation. They just don't walk into social housing,” she said.