For just over 7,000 people in this country, the problems of recession, NAMA and politicians expenses do not matter. For them, having some sort of privacy when you share a room with 5 others is central to their lives or dealing with a weekly income of just €19.42. For these people the only right they can exercise is the right to seek asylum in Ireland.
Despite the number of challenges they all face, the difficulty in finding links in the local community can be hampered by lack of language, cultural differences and stereotyping. These issues will not resolve themselves without the involvement of local groups working towards integration and inclusion, delivering support through limited means but with passion and respect.
Orla Ni Eili is the Project Manager for the Clare Immigrant Support Centre (CISC) and has been assisting asylum seekers in Ireland for 17 years and is passionate about giving them back the community and quality of life that the application process can deprive them of.
“I’ve been in a very privileged position to be working with asylum seekers and refugees and immigrants, I sometimes forget it but it is an absolutely privileged position to be able to give a dig out or make a difference”, she says
On September 29 the Clare Lodge in Ennis was closed as an accommodation centre for asylum seekers. The residents were re-housed in the remaining centres around the country.
“The ones that were there a while had made friends had fantastic access to English lessons. They were mixing with locals and being treated like any other ordinary decent people. They had something to be doing, places to hang out and they were making lives and community.
“For some of the people who were sent away it was absolutely devastating because they had gotten used to themselves and each other and built a community for themselves and while it was frail world, they made a shape of it to hold on to. So it was tough very tough on people,” she says.
The decision was taken not to renew the contract with the operators of Clare Lodge something that Orla says was fought vigorously but that it ultimately came down to economic factors and there is now a consolidation going on towards larger facilities.*
The whole practice of direct provision Orla argues was to give adequate welfare to asylum seekers while their cases were dealt with and this should have always been a short term solution
“For any adults that have their meals given to them morning, noon and night, they become institutionalised very quickly. They are not engaged in the community and the daily toil of ordinary things and they can become very isolated and there are a number of reports that show high levels of depression.
“Even the provision of daily meals can cause a high level of guilt for those that had to leave their families behind and they find it hard to accept their situation of relative plenty if they don’t know if their loved ones have enough or anything at all.”
One solution to this and which was recommended in a RAPID report from 2006 is to allow limited access to work for asylum seekers who have been living in direct provision accommodation for six months or more. This has been resisted by the Government because of the fears of creating a so called ‘pull factor’ which would attract more and more asylum seekers and contribute to the problem of people trafficking.
Orla concedes that these are real issues but suggests the biggest problem is with how cases are decided and that if the process was quicker ,the problems associated with direct provision would be redundant.
“If the asylum process was moving at pace that we could rely on then things would be better but it needs to be thorough... it needs to be balanced and fair at the same time. I know some individuals that are here five years without a decision being made.”
Orla is very proud of the number of quality support services in Clare for immigrants but like all things at the moment funding has become much more difficult and the future for CISC and other organisation like it is far from secure. Next year they will have to secure €80’000 from public and private sources
But she smiles and says that this is nothing new as voluntary always walk that tightrope and that job security in the voluntary and community sector has always been difficult and is simply something you get used to.
When asked what she will be looking to achieve next year if funding is secured she grins and says:”a drop of world peace wouldn’t go amis.”
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Moyross Voice December 09 Moyross Residents Anger Centre Pages
By Leo Stiles Regeneration
A MOYROSS community leader last week hit out at the Regeneration Agencies and said that the entire process of regeneration has stalled and failed the people of the area.
Chairman of the Moyross Residents Alliance Tom Daly who claims to represent 300 families living in the area hit out at the regeneration agencies for not delivering what had been promised in the Fitzgerald Report and the Master Plans.
“All that is happening now is you have people down in regeneration holding their jobs and hoping something will happen in the economy and it’s not going to happen because the country is in dire straits at the moment and it’s only going to get worse this year.”
Mr Daly also expressed disappointment with the level of policing in the area and highlighted the murder of Darren Bennett in March of this year, the recurring instances of cars being burnt out and a recent incident in Delmege Park where the home of Marie Troy was broken into and set on fire.
“There are no Gardai out here, you never see them .The 100 Gardai that were promised to us never materialised, he said.
“Policing is gone and we are just trying to cope, they just haven’t the man power, they can’t afford it now with the cutbacks,” he added
Brendan Kenny CEO of the Regeneration Agencies disagreed with this assessment and said the 100 extra Gardai were delivered, but to the city and not just toMoyross. Mr Kenny also pointed to recent statistics that show that gun crime has fallen 66 per cent and ordinary crime has fallen 15 per cent in Limerick.
“The Gardai have been getting a lot of success with big criminals being put away. The good thing about the Gardai in Limerick is that they do get the results,” he said.
But Mr Kenny expressed sympathy with the residents who are still contending with high levels of anti-social behaviour
Mr Daly’s comments were dismissed by Tracy McElligot, a Development Worker with the Moyross Residents Forum who rejects Mr Daly’s position that Regeneration has failed the people of Moyross.
“We are open to and fully support the ongoing regeneration process. Regeneration is ongoing in the community and is contributing particularly in the area of social regeneration and community projects, she said.
Demolition is continuing with the consent of the residents along with the upgrading of street lighting and the visual aspect of the area and the construction of sheltered housing will hopefully begin next year, “She added.
“The major problem that we had when we came down wasn’t major crime or the shootings which the people had become used to, but what was bothering people more than anything else was the public order issues, children causing problems, children threatening people, children threatening older people and threatening to kill them. It’s very hard for the Gardai to do anything about that”.
Mr Daly is particularly critical of the level of information and communication residents have with the regeneration agencies, something he feels deteriorated with the departure of Paul Foley, the former Northside Director.
Mr Kenny agrees that the last 6 months have been tough for northside regeneration but that people should not lose sight of what is being achieved in the area of social initiative which have seen good levels of funding over the past two years
“We are stuck with all kinds of issues, competing agendas and demands, but our job is to improve the area and in 10 years normal society and normal community can apply,” he said.
A MOYROSS community leader last week hit out at the Regeneration Agencies and said that the entire process of regeneration has stalled and failed the people of the area.
Chairman of the Moyross Residents Alliance Tom Daly who claims to represent 300 families living in the area hit out at the regeneration agencies for not delivering what had been promised in the Fitzgerald Report and the Master Plans.
“All that is happening now is you have people down in regeneration holding their jobs and hoping something will happen in the economy and it’s not going to happen because the country is in dire straits at the moment and it’s only going to get worse this year.”
Mr Daly also expressed disappointment with the level of policing in the area and highlighted the murder of Darren Bennett in March of this year, the recurring instances of cars being burnt out and a recent incident in Delmege Park where the home of Marie Troy was broken into and set on fire.
“There are no Gardai out here, you never see them .The 100 Gardai that were promised to us never materialised, he said.
“Policing is gone and we are just trying to cope, they just haven’t the man power, they can’t afford it now with the cutbacks,” he added
Brendan Kenny CEO of the Regeneration Agencies disagreed with this assessment and said the 100 extra Gardai were delivered, but to the city and not just toMoyross. Mr Kenny also pointed to recent statistics that show that gun crime has fallen 66 per cent and ordinary crime has fallen 15 per cent in Limerick.
“The Gardai have been getting a lot of success with big criminals being put away. The good thing about the Gardai in Limerick is that they do get the results,” he said.
But Mr Kenny expressed sympathy with the residents who are still contending with high levels of anti-social behaviour
Mr Daly’s comments were dismissed by Tracy McElligot, a Development Worker with the Moyross Residents Forum who rejects Mr Daly’s position that Regeneration has failed the people of Moyross.
“We are open to and fully support the ongoing regeneration process. Regeneration is ongoing in the community and is contributing particularly in the area of social regeneration and community projects, she said.
Demolition is continuing with the consent of the residents along with the upgrading of street lighting and the visual aspect of the area and the construction of sheltered housing will hopefully begin next year, “She added.
“The major problem that we had when we came down wasn’t major crime or the shootings which the people had become used to, but what was bothering people more than anything else was the public order issues, children causing problems, children threatening people, children threatening older people and threatening to kill them. It’s very hard for the Gardai to do anything about that”.
Mr Daly is particularly critical of the level of information and communication residents have with the regeneration agencies, something he feels deteriorated with the departure of Paul Foley, the former Northside Director.
Mr Kenny agrees that the last 6 months have been tough for northside regeneration but that people should not lose sight of what is being achieved in the area of social initiative which have seen good levels of funding over the past two years
“We are stuck with all kinds of issues, competing agendas and demands, but our job is to improve the area and in 10 years normal society and normal community can apply,” he said.
Moyross Voice December 09 Regeneration Story Front Page Lead
By Leo Stiles and Kelly Moran and Orla Walsh
A MAJOR €1.5bn private investment plan for Limerick’s regeneration areas is to be brought to the Cabinet today, the Moyross Voice has learned.
But issues about the length of time the regeneration project is going to take, and the low prices being paid to residents for their homes, still remain unresolved.
Defence Minister Willie O’ Dea has confirmed that ministers will discuss a master plan to rebuild the four regeneration areas of the city this morning.
The Cabinet meeting will also consider an approach from a group of local businessmen who have had contacts with international developers interested in investing in the city.
“It’s impressive and exciting. They think it is a good prospect and a good long term investment. I think they will invest,” said the Minister.
He refused to be drawn on the identity of the interested parties but said he expected an announcement in the next couple of weeks.
Regeneration Agency chief executive Brendan Kenny has said meanwhile that the redevelopment of the city – including Moyross – could take up to 20 years to complete.
Mr Kenny warned that the regeneration project would take much longer to complete without private investors.
He also said he hoped to start building houses in Moyross in 2010 to show residents that Government backing for the project was solid.
“What we are saying to the government is that we accept there is no money, we accept that there is a recession, but what we need to do is get one small development in each of the areas to show the people that we are committed to building,” he said.
Mr Kenny also said that:
• The €28,000 being offered to house owners was “unfair”
• The first new houses in Moyross would be built next year
• The new head of the North Side agency, Anne Haugh will start work in January
• He would like to see in the future, the money given to the council, diverted to regeneration to build houses.
Mr Kenny said: “We’ve calculated overall that over 10 years, €3 billion would be required, but that’s private investment and the reality now is that in the current climate a lot of that is not going to happen”.
We never really calculated exactly, but some of the things that were going to take 10 years to happen may take 20 years but we’re planning for the future,” he added.
A MAJOR €1.5bn private investment plan for Limerick’s regeneration areas is to be brought to the Cabinet today, the Moyross Voice has learned.
But issues about the length of time the regeneration project is going to take, and the low prices being paid to residents for their homes, still remain unresolved.
Defence Minister Willie O’ Dea has confirmed that ministers will discuss a master plan to rebuild the four regeneration areas of the city this morning.
The Cabinet meeting will also consider an approach from a group of local businessmen who have had contacts with international developers interested in investing in the city.
“It’s impressive and exciting. They think it is a good prospect and a good long term investment. I think they will invest,” said the Minister.
He refused to be drawn on the identity of the interested parties but said he expected an announcement in the next couple of weeks.
Regeneration Agency chief executive Brendan Kenny has said meanwhile that the redevelopment of the city – including Moyross – could take up to 20 years to complete.
Mr Kenny warned that the regeneration project would take much longer to complete without private investors.
He also said he hoped to start building houses in Moyross in 2010 to show residents that Government backing for the project was solid.
“What we are saying to the government is that we accept there is no money, we accept that there is a recession, but what we need to do is get one small development in each of the areas to show the people that we are committed to building,” he said.
Mr Kenny also said that:
• The €28,000 being offered to house owners was “unfair”
• The first new houses in Moyross would be built next year
• The new head of the North Side agency, Anne Haugh will start work in January
• He would like to see in the future, the money given to the council, diverted to regeneration to build houses.
Mr Kenny said: “We’ve calculated overall that over 10 years, €3 billion would be required, but that’s private investment and the reality now is that in the current climate a lot of that is not going to happen”.
We never really calculated exactly, but some of the things that were going to take 10 years to happen may take 20 years but we’re planning for the future,” he added.
Moyross Voice December 09 Regeneration Story Centre Pages
By Kelly Moran and Leo Stiles
THE FIRST houses for the regeneration project will begin construction in late 2010.
The agency is working on plans for the 30 unit sheltered housing in Cliona Park, Moyross, which will start in the autumn of next year.
CEO of Limerick Regeneration Brendan Kenny says this will be the first significant step in the revitalisation of the area.
“It’s the first development and a major step to show people here that we are serious and this is going to happen,” said Mr Kenny.
Mr Kenny said they don’t want to raise people’s expectations, but things are going well.
Speaking in an interview with the Moyross Voice, Mr Kenny said: “That’s why we have gone for this idea of sheltered accommodation for older people, because they have been affected badly, probably worse that any others in these areas.”
The planning will commence in February.
For 2009, the budget for Limerick regeneration was €25 million.
€16.75 million of this was given to Limerick City and County Councils, and Clare County Council to buy the houses of the people who wanted to leave the regeneration areas.
Some residents have been offered €28,000 for their homes which has caused outrage.
“I think it is very unfair, but the reality is that there are an awful lot of unfair things out in the regeneration areas, people have suffered hugely over the last 20-25 years from all kinds of difficulties and yes its very unfair that now if people want to sell their house that’s the most they are going to get,” Mr Kenny said.
Mr Kenny added that he would prefer that no-one would leave but that he couldn’t stand in the way of a family who is looking to improve the situation. Mr Kenny also stressed that the process of relocation was in the hands of the local authorities and not the regeneration agencies and that much of the bad publicity was out of their control.
Mr Kenny points out that the flood of people leaving is now down to a trickle and that he hopes most of the funding in the future will be channelled directly in to the areas.
Mr Kenny said: “The money, it buys a house but it doesn’t create any jobs. We would like to see that money in time changing over to being used for building houses.
“Say if you build five houses, you get five new houses, but you also get jobs. If you buy a house you get onto an estate agent and buy a house, so we would like to see the money being diverted over,” he added.
While Mr Kenny acknowledged the difficulties the country is facing in the recession, he said that regeneration will continue because it has to and that it needs the support of the government.
With all eyes on the government next week and the 2010 budget, Mr Kenny remained confident that the regeneration agencies will be allocated the funds they need to remain effective and while 2009 had been a difficult year, he was optimistic that the agencies would continue to receive support.
“I believe that the focus all the time is about the budget, but we never did any major shouting about budgets and we were happy with the budget we got in 2009”, he said.
Mr Kenny said: “People don’t realise the budget for 2008 was €15 million, so there was a significant increase there.
“In 2010 we would certainly need a similar amount to the one that we had in 2009,” he added.
Limerick has seen a major reduction of crime with the instances of gun related crime down 66 per cent. While praising the work of the Gardai, Mr Kenny highlighted the role of regeneration and its positive effect on the wider communities of limerick
“Through regeneration there is now 100 more gardai in Limerick and there has been a significant improvement particularly in Moyross, some people say that these areas are quieter than they have been for 10 years,” he said.
But Mr Kenny said some people are living in the same they were for the last several years.
“For a number of people their situation hasn’t changed, they are still beside the same people that have been causing problems and they are afraid.
“People come and tell us that there are all kinds of things going on, but they won’t tell the Gardai, its near anarchy in some ways and you can understand why they won’t come forward, “he said.
Southside Director Brendan Hayden has been overseeing both agencies while they have been looking for a new Northside Director. Mr Kenny agreed that this was not ideal but that it was just as important to get the right person for the role as it was to fill it quickly.
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