Madam, – The exposé by Jamie Smyth (Home News, June 18th) of the conditions endured by asylum seekers in one particular direct provision hostel makes for harrowing reading.
It brought to mind the expression “out of sight, out of mind”.
I have to confess that, while aware of the concept the direct provision system, I had not realised the reality of how the system worked in practice.
I had always assumed that the accommodation/care provided would have taken into account the basic needs of the asylum seeker to live with some degree of human dignity and respect for individuals and families, that it would also recognise the dietary needs of individuals, particularly those of pregnant women and others with certain medical conditions and that appropriate medical care would be available to ensure the physical, emotional and mental wellbeing of those resident in these hostels.
From your correspondent’s reports it would seem that these very basic conditions are far from being met. The likelihood is that the hostel referred to in his report is not unique, but that the conditions there are replicated throughout the country. Former hotels may be seen as a useful temporary stop-gap measure. However, these buildings, designed for short-term stays, are certainly not suitable for the long-term accommodation of asylum seekers.
Their use as residential centres may indeed raise serious health and safety concerns.
As a nation we are still coming to terms with the the abuse of young children in institutional care and of young girls and women hidden away in the infamous Magdalene laundries. Hopefully, the revelation by Mr Smyth of the treatment that must be endured by asylum seekers will lead to action being taken to ensure that their treatment will not be another to be added to the list of abuse of the vulnerable by State sponsored or supported institutions. – Yours, etc,