Ógra demands protection for Immigrant communities

This is an exceptionally stressful time for us all. The anxiety for the health of ourselves and our loved ones has been compounded by financial uncertainty. Emergency COVID-19 payment’s issued by the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection are providing much needed relief for many people, however, attention has been drawn towards the fact that obtaining any financial support is proving to be a significant challenge for many non-Irish citizens currently living in the 26 counties.

To obtain the emergency COVID-19 payment, a PPS or GNIB number must be provided on the application form. However all GNIB appointments have been cancelled, leaving those without one in a state of limbo, living in Ireland but unable to work or claim emergency financial support from the state. Surveys conducted show this problem is affecting at least several hundred people who are still expected to pay rent, bills and other cost of living expenses. Furthermore, the vast majority of those affected are living in Dublin, where they have to contend with exorbitant rental arrangements, in often substandard accommodations.

One Brazilian woman living in Dublin informed us of how her inability to obtain any kind of support has affected her financial situation, “I share my house with 23 people and room with 4. We talked with the landlord about this situation and we asked if it would be possible for us to pay half our usual rent but he didn’t accept.” The woman, who asked for her name to remain private out of fear of repercussions from her landlord, states that her accommodation is overcrowded which is clearly not conducive for effective self-isolation and avoiding the spread of the Coronavirus.

There are hundreds of vulnerable people without PPS or GNIB numbers who are quickly running out of their savings. There is an urgency on the government to produce solutions for every member of our society. Ógra Shinn Féin are therefore calling on all non-Irish citizens currently awaiting a GNIB number to be automatically awarded one to enable their eligibility for the €350 emergency COVID-19 payment. Furthermore, Ógra Shinn Féin are calling on all deportation orders to be suspended and no further orders be issued for the duration of the crisis in order to ease the uncertainty currently faced by many people. Ógra Shinn Féin are working with our comrades in the senior party to address this within the Oireachtas.

le Ciarán Ó Meachair - Oifigeach Idirnaisiúnta