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SANDWICHES TEND TO be the height of lunchtime cuisine, particularly if you’re making lunch for yourself.
It’s just so easy to throw some cheese, or ham, or whatever you fancy in between two slices of bread and away you go.
The only problem is…it just gets a bit boring after a while. And as lunchtime is the highlight of the work day (oh – is that just us?), we decided to round up some tasty options for lunch – no bread allowed.
So let us know in the comments below if we’ve inspired you to shake up your lunchtime.
Now, a wrap by any other name would probably be a sandwich, but we’ve decided to include them here regardless. We’re just mad like that.
Just like a sandwich you can throw almost anything in there and roll it up, but here’s one of our favourite recipes for lunch. It’s a Mediterranean wrap with turkey slices, tomato, greens (spinach or lettuce) and roasted red pepper hummus – which is what elevates it from normal lunchtime fare. It can be prepared the night before and kept in the fridge.
If you’re into food prep at all you’re probably all over the ‘salad in a jar’ trend but if you’re not, let us break it down for you.
In an effort to make healthy eating as easy as possible, a big factor of that is to prepare your food in advance – thus always having something healthy to eat and no excuse to go grab something fatty at lunch (or any other time).
As salads are hard to prepare too far in advance – the leaves tend to wilt – some bright spark came up with the idea of layering a salad in a jar, keeping the leaves well away from the dressings, which is what causes it to wilt.
Voilà - a new dish is born. You can prepare a few of these in advance and have healthy lunch ready to grab from the fridge whenever you need.
This isn’t a recipe so much as a how-to guide, which works out well for you – you’re not limited by arbitrary recipe suggestions. Let your salad-making creativity go nuts.
We taught you how to cook soup here so you can’t tell us it’s too hard to do – it really isn’t.
If you’ve a microwave in work, soup is a great lunch to bring in and heat up. If you don’t, it might be worth your while investing in a thermos flask to keep the soup hot till lunchtime, or you could try a cold soup – gazpacho is one.
Here’s a recipe for a delicious cheesy broccoli soup - how could you resist?
Frittata, or fancy omelette as it’s known around these parts, are a great lunch – you can eat them hot or cold, so no microwave required, and you can pack it full of ingredients like chorizo and potato making it really filling.
Here’s a recipe to get you started, but the fritatta world is your oyster – although we think maybe not to add oysters…but that’s just us.
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So why are the illegal immigrants not deported
@Thomas Sheridan: They are not “illegal immigrants”. They are Asylum seekers and nearly all have sought asylum as is their right when they entered the country as part of an international process that our country has signed up to. They go through that process and their application is either accepted or rejected. An appeals process is available to those whose applications are rejected and it is this process which takes a very long time because of how poor our governance is and how our legal system is set up. There is nothing illegal about the vast majoirty of people seeking Asylum here. They have followed the rules like they should.
@Gerard Smith: Nothing to do with the appeal after appeal?
@Gerard Smith: Almost none of them are actually refugees. Almost all of them stay regardless.
@Kevin Parlon: This is patently not true. There’s no reliable evidence for this claim.
There’s plenty of evidence from reliable sources (Amnesty International, United Nations, Irish Refugee Council) that the absolute vast majority of people seeking asylum (a legal right) do so because they are in danger and in need.
There is also plenty of evidence, which you seem to entirely ignore, that they are treated horrendously physically and emotionally, which we should be very concerned about.
@Gerard Smith: Actually that’s completely untrue: two thirds of failed asylum seekers were found to be already know to the British authorities under different nationalities. So the majority are illegal from the get-go.
@Thomas Sheridan: after reading that article thats your response? And all the looneys liked it. I give up
@Shaner Mac: You’re talking about the majority of those who have had their applications rejected, not the majority of all asylum seekers.
@Shaner Mac: 2/3 of “failed asylum seekers”. Can you provide any data of what percentage of the overall amount of Asylum seekers they make up?
@Kevin Parlon: you’re correct in one aspect. They are not refugees. They are asylum seekers.
@Dave Byrne: I specifically called this out in my post. The appeals process is a function of our government and not the Asylum seeker. That mess is our making not the person seeking asylum. It’ seems very handy to always lay the blame at the door of the Asylum seeker. Perhaps if we made the process person centric, more humane and compassionate and more efficient it would be better for all. Many of the Asylum seekers entering this country are left in Limbo for up to a decade in a merry go round system. The article is about the effect that our system has on the mental health of other human beings who we have a duty of care to look after until we have concluded their asylum process. The article is signed by many professionals who have first hand experience of the effects our system has on these people. Do you think it’s fair to treat another human being like this? Our record as a state in relation to how we treat the vulnerable (including our own citizens) is nothing short of shameful and it’s even more shameful to see an article like this reduced to comments such as illegal immigrants (untrue) and go home to your own country.
@Thomas Sheridan: Seeking asylum is a legal right.
@Margaret Mcgarry: exactly what I thought. People don’t want the truth. It’s gets in the way of their prejudices
@Freudian Quip: again not true in 2015/16 2 thirds of the people trying to claim asylum in Europe were economic migrants
@Gerard Smith: You are misinformed. The typical time it currently takes to hear asylum-applications – and where unsuccessful at the initial stage – to brief legal-aid counsel and hear the appeal is between 9 months and a year which is the shortest time consistent with allowing applicants adequate time to prepare their applications for hearing and (where necessary) appeal.
The success rate of applicants ( in other words, the percentage who are found to have a credible case for refugee status) is between 20% and 30% in any given year.
When compared on a country-of-origin for country-of-origin basis, Irish acceptance rates are above the european average, and the time taken to assess applicants is about average.
What delays the process is the uniquely liberal access we give failed asylum-seekers to bring serial judicial-reviews to delay and frustrate deportation. Organised document-destruction and applicants ‘going to ground’ and failing to appear at hearings also contribute to delays and lengthy periods in DP.
(I have had long involvement with the legal end of the asylum process, so I hope I have been able to provide you with a more accurate picture than you currently seem to have)
@Gerard Smith: I think Thomas Sheridan would have better expressed his question as “So why aren’t failed asylum-seekers deported”?
The 70%+ of asylum-seekers whose claims for asylum are repeatedly found to lack even “credibility” (the extremely low cross-bar set by international law) are of course “illegal immigrants” at that point.
So what is the solution/model that stops the deluge of illegal immigration and yet assists the actual genuine refuge?
@TheDublinGirly: This article is about people legally seeking asylum, and arguing for them to be treated with basic human dignity. It is not about illegal migration.
@Freudian Quip: half them didn’t even read the article
@TheDublinGirly: our legal system is deplorable. Process these people properly and do away with the gravy train that solicitors use to slow the process down
@Freudian Quip: legally seeking does not automatically mean they are genuine refugees…many are… but there are also non genuine refugees gaming the system and this impacts genuine applicants.
@Canyon: Whether some people “game” a system or not is no explanation for why asylum seekers are treated deplorably, placed in horrible accommodation and treated as if they are not human by the direct provision system and much of the public.
@TheDublinGirly: They should apply from a safe direct provision centre in their country of origin rather than flying into Europe on fake passports and asking for asylum.
@Canyon: some Irish people game the social welfare system. This happens across all of society and walks of life. That’s why there is a process in the first place. To determine the bone fires of the seeker. Again you are laying blame at the door of Asykum Seekers when the issue is with the system we use.
@Dub Cell: You cannot apply from your country of origin.
@Freudian Quip: You’ve just reiterated my point, thank you.
@Freudian Quip: Immediate, open-door, accommodation, full board, immediate medical-cards, free education – including 3rd level, free legal aid- including provision of counsel, a package of other social benefits and travelling allowances, and €39 per week discretionary spending money is “deplorable treatment”?
Are you for real?
The vast majority of these asylum seekers are economic migrants. They’re very aware of the situation and what will happen once they arrive here and still come. Everyday the UK has to deal with droves of illegal migrants crossing over from France, most of these have crossed over half of Europe in the hope of making it to England, you have to ask yourself why. They have a choice they are not prisoners they can get a free flight back home anytime they choose. They even have the audacity to complain about receiving a payment of €29, they are many in this country that haven’t €29 left after paying rent food electricity phone car expenses school expenses clothing etc which is provided to them by the Irish taxpayer.
@Philip Siggins: “The vast majority”. There is no evidence whatsoever for this claim.
There is plenty of good evidence from the Irish Refugee Council, Amnesty International and the United Nations that people who come here seeking asylum (which is their and our legal right), do so because they are in danger and in need. €29 and horrendous treatment by a physically and emotionally unsafe and traumatising direct provision system doesn’t resolve that.
Also, families living in Ireland with €29 left after paying their bills as you mention should also be supported. It doesn’t mean that people seeking asylum should also be mistreated.
I know it makes a difficult read, but try looking to some reliable sources and you might change your mind.
@Freudian Quip: it is almost impossible to prove that a person is not escaping persecution
@Freudian Quip: if it’s so horrific as you claim why come in the first place ? I notice you didnt answer my question why these people cross over a dozen perfectly safe countries in order to get to Ireland and the UK, why not settle in the first safe haven you get to? .
@Freudian Quip: Irish Refugee Council and Amnesty International are well funded NGO’ they need plenty of clients to justify their existence the people they represent are well looked after far better than a lot of the ordinary people
@Philip Siggins: Please provide reliable evidence for claims of the ‘vast majority’ of asylum seekers being ‘economic migrants’. In 2019, the rejection rate was below 50% (ECRE Asylum Information Database).
And why would it make a difference? It would be OK to treat people inhumanely if they were migrants but not seeking asylum?! Of course it wouldn’t. And it would be contrary to international law. The system should be humane and not impose harm to health or dignity.
Income and wealth inequality and poverty of citizens (‘many in this country’) has nothing to do with direct provision or how we treat asylum seekers. These are separate policy choices that have been made. We can afford, as one of the world’s wealthiest countries, to deal with both challenges.
@Richard Russell: This is an utterly incredible comment. They are not “well-funded”, and this conspiracy theory that asylum seekers and NGOs are in on some sort of money-making industry together is not only completely baseless, it is very harmful.
And people who seek asylum are as “normal” as any of us. Except in the majority of cases, they have had to leave their homes because of threats to their physical and emotional safety.
@Philip Siggins: @Philip Siggins: I imagine you would want to be pretty desperate to consider entering into direct provision. It’s not a “claim”. It’s factual and well-documented.
Under certain circumstances you can be removed from an EU country where you are seeking asylum and be returned to the first EU country that you entered for processing (Dublin Regulation). However, by law, you can seek asylum in a country whether or not you have travelled through others.
Many people go to particular countries because they already have family there (that is certainly something I would think about if I was seeking asylum, rather than going to a completely unfamiliar place). If you have a family member in the country you are seeking asylum in, that is where your application will be processed.
@Philip Siggins: There are not “droves”, if you review the EU reporting on Asylum Seeker levels you will see that it is at its lowest in years. What is your point in regard to 29euro? Are you saying that if it’s good enough for “our own” they shouldnt complain? That’s setting standards by lowest common denominator and completely unhelpful for any of the disadvantaged and vulnerable in our society
@Freudian Quip: close to40% of the people who claimed asylum here last
@Freudian Quip: close to40% of the people who claimed asylum here last yr came from 2 safe European countries, their is no war famine in the top 5 country’s claiming asylum here which account for 60% ,
@Philip Siggins: the weekly sum for discretionary spending is €38 per adult and €29 per child (In addition to accommodation with full board, medical cards, legal aid, a package of social benefits, in total worth in excess of €2,000 per asylum-seeker per week)
@Philip Siggins: Correct.Britain encourages people trafficking.They are prepared to take any risk as once they arrive in Britain they will be looked after and never be deported.
@Quentin Moriarty: Incorrect. It is not for the State to prove anything. International law requires the asylum-seeker merely to show he or she has a credible case for asylum. More than 70% can’t even clear this extremely low and undemanding cross-bar.
@Richard L-V: Wrong. The number successfully showing a credible case for refugee status or international protection is less than 30%. The balance is made up of failed asylum-seekers who are given leave to remain on various grounds – principally where the welfare of dependent children is involved.
if youre not happy ,go home to youre own country,too much codology with these so called asylum seekers
@Tom Byrne: “So-called asylum seekers”? They are literally seeking asylum. Read the article, educate yourself.
@Tom Byrne: “So-called asylum seekers”? They are literally seeking asylum. As any of us have the legal right to.
@Tom Byrne: except there isn’t really a home to go back to. Have you seen what Syria looks like right now?
@Tom Byrne: Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights: “Everyone has the right to seek and to enjoy in other countries asylum from persecution.”
Our origin is an accident of birth. Who would not want to seek asylum from persecution, violence, war, or torture? Wouldn’t you be glad of the opportunity for asylum if you were persecuted in Ireland?
@Freudian Quip: Whats the difference between an asylum seeker and an economic migrant? Or do you not see a difference?
@Emma Dobbyn: Syria is a mess and I think most decent people in Ireland would agree that people from there should be helped. However, in recent years the largest numbers of refugees have come from Albania and Georgia. I have lived and worked in both. Things are not great (a teacher in Albania earns about EUR 400 a month) but there are no wars. The people who arrive from those countries are economic migrants.
@Emma Dobbyn: Couldnt care less what it looks like. Not my problem
@Emma Dobbyn: there are very few Syrians in direct provision in fact our just under 40% of our asylees come from Europe
@Emma Dobbyn: Almost none of Ireland’s asylum-seeking population hails from Syria or any war zone. Most of them hail from countries the UN considers safe in the context of refugee law such as Georgia, Albania, or South Africa (or countries like Nigeria where internal migration is perfectly feasible). The breakdown of countries is public information and available online on the Dept of Justice website.
@Richard L-V: Only a tiny minority of Ireland’s asylum-seeker population hails from war-zones.
We always give asylum to asylum-seekers who can show credibly they would face persecution or mistreatment if returned home.
@Freudian Quip: And of course, we have a right to promptly deport failed asylum-seekers rather than allowing them to stay indefinitely in DP to pursue endless legally-aided judicial reviews to delay their removal (while complaining that their children are being damaged by their prolonged stay in DP)
Why do these people come all the way to Ireland I’d like to know what’s on offer when you land in others EU countries?
Homeless families living in hotel rooms is causing untold harm. People worried as they live sub standard rental housing is causing harm.
@Keith MacSuibhne: that’s an irrelevant comment in response to this article. Did you even read it
@Margaret Mcgarry: It isn’t really an irrelevant comment though. While accepting that DP is broken, no one has presented a workable alternative that doesn’t make our housing crisis worse.
@Margaret Mcgarry: you say it’s an irrelevant comment in response to this comment, I think his comment is very relevant
@Keith MacSuibhne: You are correct; homelessness causes harm.
So does persecution, war, torture, which are some examples of what people seek asylum from.
We can and should, as one of the world’s wealthiest countries, both eradicate povsrty and homelessness and have a bumane and dignified international protection sysytem.
@Richard L-V: We have a humane and dignified international protection system. That’s why we have one of the highest ratios of asylum application to population of any of the non-frontline EU member-states. People wouldn’t traverse numerous safe countries to make their asylum-applications on this offshore island if they thought our international protection regime was inhumane or undignified
@Peter O’Muiri:
“Research found that asylum seeker children experienced extreme income poverty, material deprivation, housing deprivation and social exclusion in considerable part due to the imposition of a system of lesser welfare entitlements, known as ‘direct provision’.”
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1357527042000244374
@Richard L-V: that paper is 16 yrs old
@Richard L-V: Currently they receive a wider range of social supports than analagous Irish children in families dependent on social provision.
The “research” you refer to is in fact mere opinion (and outdated), and can be summed up by the phrase “they would say that, wouldn’t they?”
There is no peer reviewed academic research that supports the claims you make.
I concede it is not ideal for children to spend long periods in DP. However, the fault lies entirely with their cynical parents – failed asylum-seekers who instead of returning home where their children can resume their lives, prefer to engage in years of judicial reviews to delay their lawful deportation.
We’re a small open economy where the main wealth is held by so few that keep their money off shore and the rest of us are tax paying citizens who grind their way through life to keep the country ticking over, this asylum dept is being carried by us is getting bigger all the time the house for everyone in the audience is not sustainable, especially when our own citizens get neglected
@Gerard Heery: There are plenty of policy choices that can be made to alleviate income and wealth inequality. The argument that people in direct provision are getting a house for everyone in the audience is false. Some of the concerns of the real effects of the direct provision system are outlined above.
I am listening to a programme on the radio about the closure of Mount Cara nursing home in Cork the residents have no well funded NGO fighting their cause so the residents have to paddle their own canoe
@Richard Russell: How does this make treating human beings inhumanely OK? People in nursing homes shouldn’t have to “paddle their own canoe”.
We should advocate for people in nursing homes, people seeking asylum, people who are homeless and people in other states of marginalisation and distress with dignity. We have the resources to do so in an extremely wealthy country.
Direct nonsense.
I read the article. I am familiar with DP. DP was not designed with long term stays in mind. For short term stays it is fine.
I note the criticism of people dying in DP. The implication being that DP causes the deaths. People die at home and in hospitals too. Should we shut them down as well? Are they responsible for the deaths? People die in DP for the same reasons they die elsewhere. They are ill.
This article is another in a long line of articles on the Journal entirely missing the main issue. The issue is and always has been the long time it takes to make decisions. This is eminently fixable. Giving asylum seekers apartments and homes who come from places like Georgia and Albania is not an answer and would lead to the creation of a massive backlash. Decisions within six months!
I bet non of these psychologists lives in an area that has a high level of non-nationals.
@Uncle Bobby: You would be betting wrong.
@Richard L-V: And what would be wrong with that anyway?
What country was she from? While I believe the story, was Ireland really the nearest country safe haven to her??? She had to travel thousands of miles to get to Ireland? Was she in UK first? This isn’t legitimate, this is economic migration
@Patrick Pearse: You don’t have to go to the first “safe haven” available to you. You have a right to seek asylum in any EU country. The Dublin Regulation means that you *may* be returned to the first EU country you entered to have your application processed. But if, for example, you have a family member living in the country where you are seeking asylum, that is where your claim will be processed.
Direct provision will be the Magdalin Laundries of this generation.
@Paul Gregg: what is your solution, what should we do? We all know the faster processing times, limited appeals, send back the non-legitimate people etc etc . But what do we do when someone arrives claiming asylum, literally were do you suggest we house them while they are assessed?
Ireland as a population of 5 million. Africa has a population of 1.2 billion. The UN estimates Africa’s population will be 2.5 billion by 2050 and 4.5 billion by 2100. The flow of people out of Africa is only going to increase. How does Ireland cater for its increased share in the next century?
@Greg Daniel: don’t worry bill gates had your second paragraph covered
@Paul Gregg: You are completely unserious. Full and immediate open-door accommodation and full board. Immediate medical cards. Free legal aid. A comprehensive package of additional social benefits and supports. Free education to third level. Discretionary spending money of €39 per week. Comparing this to the Magdalan Laundries marks you out as a deeply unserious person.
People wouldn’t opt to traverse numerous safe countries to make their asylum applications in this difficult to get to offshore island if they thought they were going to be treated like the inmates of the Magdalen Laundries.
My neighbour went through the process with no complaints at all. His family’s claim was dealt with within 7 months. They were successful and stayed for one more month in DP until they were able to make arrangements for new accomadation.
They lived with others that had been there years. There was a very good reason for that. The others know they will never been deported, they had made lives in Ireland.
The reason we have a housing crisis is because of mass immigration into the country that the government never took into account while opting our borders to the world !
@DMC: The reason we have a housing crisis is a series of economic, fiscal, housing, and spatial planning policy decisions. The small number of people seeking asylum from persecution does not amount to mass immigration.
They’re never happy. Not happy at home, not happy in countries providing asylum to them
@IrishRedLFC: Not many people would be happy enduring war, torture, or persecution.
@Richard L-V: Indeed. But then only between 20% and 30% of those claiming asylum in Ireland are found to have a credible case for asylum or to merit international protection.
Those who have endured war, torture, or persecution are given asylum in Ireland. That is the purpose of the assessment procedure (which includes an appeal to an independent tribunal if unsuccessful at the initial stage)
I have no trouble with helping Asylum seekers getting employment and housing . However I believe we we should house all our own people first as many are up to 10 years on the housing list and are too living in substandard housing conditions . As for suicide rates I believe that the rates of suicide in this country transcends classes and situations and is a major issue but I don’t believe that it solely down to direct provision centres
You come into the country with Notting so u get what you get just like if I whet to there countries with Notting I be homeless
Easy solution 4 bed semi each for free and dole for life .. sorted
@Almight Joe: Speaking of propaganda, there is absolutely no evidence for this claim.
On the contrary, there is substantial and longstanding evidence (from Amnesty International, United Nations, Irish Refugee Council, etc.) that direct provision is part of a system that horrendously mistreats people legally seeking asylum.
It’s not nice to think that we could treat people who need help so badly, but it is undeniably the truth. It’s good that direct provision will end and we can help by supporting a new and better system that ensures people’s basic needs for physical and emotional safety are met, just as we would hope for if we were in a similar situation. It’s the least we can do.
@Freudian Quip: perhaps you might explain why almost 50% of those seeking international protection here in the last 2 years come from Albania and Georgia, 2 European countries which, to the best of my knowledge, aren’t suffering from civil wars, famine, widespread human rights abuse, total destruction, etc.?
I believe that the vast majority of Irish people warmly welcome those who are in need of help and assistance, but call a spade a spade.
It’s almost as if some people have a vested interest in keeping the industry going…
@Stephen O’Neill: yeah I hear Albania is lovely alright
@Stephen O’Neill: Albania is suffering from chronic political corruption and economic difficulties including mass unemployment whereby people have little to no hope of getting work.
This scenario doesn’t fall into the categories that you note. However, you still have a legal right to *seek* asylum. Whether you get it or not is another question. Applications are rejected on these grounds.
People in desperate circumstances are still obviously going to try to escape and find some sort of better life for themselves and their families, as any of us would, even if the chance of them obtaining asylum is very slim.
And implying this conspiracy theory that there is some sort of “industry” involving NGOs, as others have suggested here, is without evidence and extremely harmful.
@Freudian Quip: Albania is in the middle of its EU ascension talks so your talk about political corruption holds very lit
@Pat Joffre: (2/2) little water and bad unemployment is not a reason to claim asylum
@Freudian Quip: Wrong. There is absolutely no evidence whatsoever that the Irish system of provision for, and assessment of, asylum-seekers “mis-treats” people (either “horrendously”, or at all).
Both our provision and assessment systems are fully compliant with every detail and requirement of international law (and in many aspects go far beyond the minimum protections required).
I challenge you to itemise as much as a single instance of the Irish system falling short of Ireland’s legal requirements.
@john flynn: Given Ireland is in the top twelve countries on the UN index of human development, are you seriously suggesting the seven or so billion people in the world who are wors off than us should have a right of asylum in Ireland?
Asylum only applies where there is an asylum-seeker can show credibly and reasonably that they are fleeing persecution as defined under the refugee conventions.
I know 1 lady who arrived here with her 2 baby boys. Her husband was murdered in front of her & her children. Her 2 young girls were then ripped from her hands & she’s never seen them since. They’re either dead or used as sex slaves. I don’t know how this lady has managed to keep going, but she has raised to amazing young men & she herself is now a qualified psychologist & works with children in hospital. She is forever grateful for the asylum she received & the opportunities she was given to study & gain a qualification. If we show compassion & give support to those who need it, society gains from it. And yes, I have the same opinion for our homeless & those who live in the margins
@cníchi: for those genuine cases as you speak of I believe the vast majority of Irish people would most definitely welcome her here, but it’s the ones who come to milk the system and abuse the system that wastes 1000′S of taxpayers money that needs sorting.
@Philip Siggins: Fair point & I do agree their are some who are abusing the system. I think there’s so much incorrect information floating about about asylum seekers & their circumstances, that people don’t take the time to listen to the human tragedies & try & really understand their circumstances. Personally I prefer to try & get the facts before I make an opinion. The system is not fit for purpose. Quite often it is in private hands. Overhaul the system. Make it work properly, make it robust while being compassionate. This will benefit Irish society & the people who are genuinely looking for asylum. Which, from the people I’ve spoken to, the majority of them are.
@cníchi: The assessment system listens to what asylum-seekers have to say about why they allegedly had to flee persecution. All an asylum-seeker needs to show to get refugee-status is “credibility”. This is an exceptionally low standard of proof, and is almost taken as read where the applicant can show they came from a war zone.
The other fact is that most of Ireland’s asylum-seeking population comes from improbable places like Georgia, Albania, and South Africa. Almost none come from places like Syria. Fewer than 30% can even clear the low evidentary standard (set by international law) of “credibility”.
I live in a town with a DP Centre. I’ve been in it, it’s grim. Some of the people who live there, have been my customers for years & yes there are huge issues with mental health. There are a few who have had enough resilience to slowly make their way up through the system & make a life for themselves. .
I wonder what mental damage is being caused to innocent Irish children when their left in hotel rooms for months on end , while we worry about chancers who leave country after country to reach our generous little island
@dee: People seeking asylum from persecution, including war, torture, and religious persecution, are not chancers. They may have experienced physical injury, trauma, threat to life, or a serious threat to their wellbeing, among other things. There are many children among them. Concerns for their health and wellbeing are outlined above.
Homelessness and child poverty in Ireland are serious concerns, without a doubt. Ireland is one of the world’s wealthiest countries. We can solve both problems with the correct policy choices and good implementation. Unfortunately, our policy choices haven’t been the right ones. Providing a humane asylum system doesn’t mean we can’t resolve homelessness or child poverty.
@Richard L-V: people who apply for as
@Richard L-V: yes but people who apply for asylum as a way of circumventing our immigration system are chancers though, dozens of Georgians and Albanians have been applying for asylum here weekly for yrs
@Richard L-V: People seeking asylum from persecution, war, torture, etc receive asylum in Ireland – usually very swiftly. Genuine asylum-seekers can nowadays expect to have their claims heard and accepted within about 10 months – even if refused at the initial stage and granted after appeal.
The problem is the 70%+ of failed asylum-seekers whose claims are found to lack credibility or merit remaining on in DP pursuing endless judicial reviews to delay or frustrate their deportation rather than return home.
@Richard L-V: by your definition then about half a billion people are eligible to come here under refugee status.
Sad to hear so much anger & so little compassion anytime an article about asylum seekers is posted. Every system has its flaws & is open to abuse. Who doesn’t know someone who’s fiddling the social welfare system, getting paid cash in hand, buying cigarettes on the black market. On the other hand, the majority of people live within the rules of society & do their best. The same goes for asylum seekers. .
@cníchi: There is very little tolerance of welfare-cheats in Irish society, and there seems very little reluctance on the part of neighbours to inform the DSP on welfare cheats.
The majority of asylum-seekers (70% +) are found both on their initial assessment and on their legally-aided appeals to the independent tribunal not to have credible cases for asylum. It is pretty much the same throughout the EU.
The 1951 Refugee Convention is a key legal document and defines a refugee as: “someone who is unable or unwilling to return to their country of origin owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group, or political opinion.”
@Margaret Mcgarry: yes but not being poor and or unable to find a job
@Margaret Mcgarry: And the standard of “proof” required of asylum-seekers under international law is the very undemanding standard of “credibility”. They aren’t even required to show the civil-court standard of proof of “probability”.
Can any of you get back on here & tell us what country is doing it right.
Psychologists for social change Ireland
@Mary Lalor: Psychologist for Social Change Ireland haven’t produced a single bit of evidence that DP is in the least bit harmful to genuine refugees or their children who can expect to have their asylum claims processed and approved within a year of arrival in this country.
The only people allegedly harmed by DP are failed asylum-seekers who instead of returning home where they and their children can resume their lives and schooling, prefer to condemn themselves and their children to an extended stays in DP while they pursue serial judicial reviews to delay and frustrate their deportation.
These cynical parents who deliberately uprooted their children to bolster their untrue claims of persecution, are entirely responsible for any harm suffered by their children.
If the State bears any responsibility it is because we tolerate these cynics instead of promptly deporting them.
Having immigration is a good thing. It helps to prevent inbreeding.
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