A more enlightened approach by the State to asylum-seekers could reap many hidden benefits, according to Dr Sophie Faherty, a general practitioner and chairwoman of the Clifden Refugee Support Group.
Dr Faherty says that a more positive attitude could save a considerable amount of money: if asylum-seekers were allowed to work shortly after their arrival and were not forced into the system of direct provision, the annual bill for asylum-seekers, quoted at £140 million earlier this year, could fall to £40 million, she says.
Considerable healthcare savings could be made if measures were taken to reduce the hardship and isolation experienced by most immigrants, she emphasises.
If no action is taken, those health costs will rise because the direct provision of £15 a week, accommodation and food by the State, without the right to work even temporarily, contributes to the trauma that many families experience before coming here.
"Most asylum-seekers here in Clifden have been victims of war, torture, imprisonment and rape. These refugees from African war-stricken countries, the Roma people, the victims of the post-communist wars in the Balkans, the refugees from Muslim fundamentalist states, need to be welcomed into better conditions," she says.
"The system of dispersal, direct provision with no right to work for too long a period of time, is a very strong reminder of prisons or camps for these patients, and this slows down their healing process."
Dr Faherty has daily experience of the situation through her medical work in Clifden. The Connemara town has been home for the past two years to upwards of 100 asylum-seekers, most of whom live in a hostel. She outlined the situation in a recent letter to the Minister, Mr O'Donoghue, and sent copies to several other public representatives.
"Daily, I treat about four families in the local surgery," she wrote to the Minister. "Sometimes it can rise to 10 . . .
"The problems the patients are complaining of are numerous, and range from average diseases to more serious conditions due to poor healthcare in their country of origin."
Most asylum-seekers in Clifden are couples, with or without children, and single mothers with children.
Marital problems are on the increase, and Dr Faherty has come across cases of both physical and sexual abuse.
She says there is an increase in smoking and alcohol consumption, and some patients have tried to demand high doses of tranquillisers.
"A lot of consultations comprise antenatal check-ups, screenings and vaccinations, requests for letters and certificates to various authorities, distress after death of relatives in violent circumstances, and family separation," she told the Minister.
"We have no interpreting facilities and often have to spend more than £30 for an average consultation, or have to resort to some family member or other resident to partially translate, with no guarantee of accuracy and poor confidentiality."
The increased workload in her practice has put great strain on Dr Faherty and her colleague, Dr John Casey.
There is no social worker or trained mediator on hand to intervene in disputes.
There have been several instances where families have been moved to other parts of the State after rows, resulting in further dislocation and stress to children who may have been taken out of school at short notice.
"In the long term, a lot of asylum-seekers are becoming totally assisted with rental allowance and social welfare payments," she says.
"This is not well perceived by the local population, and can lead to negative feelings towards asylum-seekers."
The inability to work legally means that children are the only ones who are given the opportunity to integrate into the community, through school attendance.
However, there is no childcare for smaller children and no family network in case of sickness, or the need to travel for health or legal purposes.
"The women are in first line for the negative effects of such a situation," she says.
Dr Faherty does not blame the hostel-owner, who she says took a very enlightened attitude towards asylum-seekers, and who has planned pre-Christmas outings for his residents, including a trip to Omey Island.
She believes that families should not be accommodated in one room - a situation which led to tragedy in Cork when a toddler died of burns received from a kettle he pulled on top of himself.
She also believes people should be allowed to cook themselves. The hostel works with the refugee support group, and the asylum-seekers participate in representative committees.
However, Dr Faherty needs help on the ground, and thinks she is probably one of many doctors requiring assistance.
An integrated national agency could help overcome the difficulties involved in catering for dozens of nationalities with various food requirements, religions, languages and traditions, while also being a compassionate and supportive host.
