There is a 'real and deep' concern for asylum seekers sleeping in tents in cold and snowy conditions.

Some tents being used by International Protection applicants in Dublin city actually collapsed under the weight of the snow.

More than 1,100 asylum seekers are without an offer of State accommodation.

Asylum seekers have been camped at the International Protection Office in the capital after the Government said there was no more accommodation available.

Irish Refugee Council CEO Nick Henderson told The Hard Shoulder some people had to leave their tents and shelter in an archway.

"The images are of quite a lot of snow that had accumulated on the tents causing some of them to collapse," he said.

"I took the photos and I passed by to see the situation... it is a situation of real, deep concern to us.

"When I was there I saw people trying to take shelter in an archway that was next to the tents that was covered and away from the snow.

"I also heard voices from people who were in the tents themselves; it's a situation that has been building for some time."

Tents are seen under snow outside the International Protection Office in Dublin city, 1-3-24. Image: Irish Refugee Council

Mr Henderson said tents in the area have been increasing since last spring.

"Gradually in the last three months there's been a build up of tents," he said.

"The number of tents has probably increased significantly in the last two to three weeks.

"Only the Department of Children and Integration have been responsible for accomodating people.

"If we had this conversation two years ago approximately 8,000 to 10,000 people would be in their remit.

"But they state that in the last two years - both with the crisis in Ukraine and an increase in the number of [International] Protection applicants - they're accommodating probably in the region of 100,000 people."

Tents are seen under snow outside the International Protection Office in Dublin city, 1-3-24. Image: Irish Refugee Council

Mr Henderson said the Government is giving priority to women and children.

"In the spring of last year and from December of this year... the Government has stated that there is no more accomodation that they can identify," he said.

"Therefore to try to ensure that they can accommodate women and children, they are not accommodating single men when they apply for asylum".

Mr Henderson said he believes there is more capacity, especially if it was opened up to other Government Departments such as the HSE and the OPW.

"That's what really is frustrating and distressing about this situation," he said.

"It's pretty visceral this morning in those images with people in dire straits on the streets of Dublin in snow," he added.

Mr Henderson said accommodation could be found in hotels, emergency accommodation and converted office spaces.

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Main image: Tents are seen under snow outside the International Protection Office in Dublin city, 1-3-24. Image: Irish Refugee Council