The Tánaiste’s call for asylum seekers with jobs to pay rent for their accommodation has been described as “quite unfair” by a group that supports international protection applicants. 

Over the weekend, Simon Harris said it is reasonable for asylum seekers in work to make a “contribution” towards the cost of their accommodation. 

He described this as “important for social cohesion”. 

On Newstalk Breakfast, Doras CEO John Lannon said they had Simon Harris call for this policy a “few times” since he became Fine Gael leader.

“It’s all very well asking people to contribute,” he said. 

“But we’ve got to balance that with consideration of what they would be contributing to. 

“They’re generally living in substandard, overcrowded accommodation. 

“Hundreds of the people that he’s expecting to contribute are living in tents. 

“It’s also very difficult for people to find work; when they do, it’s generally very low paid, requires travelling, people are working unsociable hours. 

“The qualifications that they have are generally not recognised here in Ireland.” 

A man queues outside the International Protection Office in Dublin. Picture by: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie.

Mr Lannon added that asylum seekers are not entitled to many social welfare benefits - such as child benefit. 

“Families in the international protection system… can’t access childcare,” he explained. 

“Also, really important to bear in mind that these children don’t get supports that the rest of us take for granted - like children’s allowance… They haven’t got a cent of that.

“It’s quite unfair to expect people to contribute if they’re not to provide the same supports, the same standards of living to the people in the International Protection [system] as the rest of us expect and receive.” 

People queueing outside the Refugee Legal Service at the International Protection Office. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Also on the programme, Ken O’Flynn Independent Ireland TD disagreed and said he thought the Tánaiste was “absolutely right”.

“If someone is working, I believe you’re earning an income and should be expected to contribute to the State, towards the cost of the accommodation - like every other Irish worker does,” he said. 

The Cork North-Central TD added that when he got his first job, he earned £75 and gave one third of that to his mother for rent and board. 

He concluded that there is no good reason why asylum seekers should not also be asked to make a contribution towards their living expenses. 

“Yes, some are in tents but others are being housed in hotels, given three meals a day,” he said. 

“Given out medical cards and [are in] receipt of social welfare payments in some cases. You have to look at where’s the fairness in that? 

“Irish families are being squeezed by rising rents, grocery bills and energy bills; they’re paying into the State, they’re contributing to the State. 

“I think the disparity between one group and another group is absolutely wrong.

“Everybody who comes to the State, needs to contribute to the State if they can do so.”

Main image: Split of Simon Harris and a Direct Provision Centre. Pictures by: Niall Carson/PA Wire/RollingNews.ie.