Leaving the Asylum Process

Congratulations!

You have passed through the most difficult stage of the process and now have your refugee status or subsidiary protection status recognised.

You now have the right to live and work in Ireland. In most cases, this will mean leaving direct provision accommodation to find work and somewhere to live. The change from direct provision to living independently will involve a great number of issues including housing, employment, health services, managing money and social welfare.

Now it’s time to start to rebuild your life. Make an appointment with the Citizens Information centre and start to work with an advice officer who will guide you on how to make the necessary applications.

For an overview of housing, finance, healthcare, education, employment and other issues see “Living in Ireland” produced by Depaul.

Getting Documentation – Test

GNIB certificate and stamp 4

Obtain a Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) certificate of registration and stamp 4. This stamp allows you to work and claim social welfare benefits. Click here for  full information on the Irish immigration system.

Travel documents

People with refugee status are entitled to a United Nations refugee travel document. See “Travel documents for people with refugee or subsidiary protection status” on the Citizens Information website.

Be aware that the UN refugee travel document is the equivalent of a home country, rather than a European Union, passport. You may still be required to obtain a visa for any travel to other EU countries.

Irish citizenship

If you have refugee status you can apply for Irish citizenship after three years residence. We recommend that you do this as soon as possible; it makes life very much easier.

Family Reunification

Make application for family reunification if required.

This can take considerable time so it’s important to start the process as soon as possible.

Click on following point for more details.

General Details

A person who has international protection (refugee status or subsidiary protection) in Ireland can apply to the Minister for Justice and Equality for permission to have a member of their family enter and live in the State. Since 31 December 2016, the International Protection Act 2015 sets out their right to apply for family reunification.

Under sections 56 and 57 of the Act, you may apply to the Minister if you have a current declaration as a convention refugee or a programme refugee or if you have a current subsidiary protection declaration.

People with permission to remain do not have a right to family reunification. However, they may apply to have a member of their family join them in Ireland. There is no legal definition as to who is a member of the family for people with permission to remain. However, it is likely that such a definition would be similar to that of a person with refugee status or subsidiary protection.

Family Members

A member of the family in relation to a person who has refugee status or subsidiary protection (known as “the sponsor”) means:

  • Spouse or civil partner – provided that the marriage or civil partnership is in existence when the application for international protection is made
  • Parent(s) – if the sponsor is aged under 18 and is not married on the date the application for family reunification is made
  • Parents’ children (aged under 18 and not married) if the sponsor is aged under 18 and not married on the date the application for family reunification is made
  • Child who is aged under 18 and not married on the date the application for family reunification is made

You must apply within 12 months of being granted a refugee or a subsidiary protection declaration or from the date of your arrival in Ireland as a programme refugee.

You apply for permission for your family member (s) either:

  • To enter and reside in the State if they are living outside the State

or

  • To reside in the State if they are already in the State on the date of your application
How to Apply

A sponsor in Ireland who wishes to make an application to have a family member join them must apply in writing to the Family Reunification Section of the Immigration Services Division – see ‘Where to apply’ below. Details of the documents required and the application process are in frequently asked questions on family reunification on the INIS website.

The sponsor will receive a letter from INIS informing them whether the application was successful. If the request for family reunification has been granted, the family member living abroad should then apply online for a visa to join the family member in Ireland. There is information about family reunification for refugees on the INIS website.

The person who enters and resides in the State as a result of family reunification is entitled to remain in the State and to the same rights and privileges as a person who has international protection for as long as the refugee or sponsor who made the application is entitled to remain in the State.

Where To Apply

To apply and more Information, visit: “Family reunification for refugees in Ireland”

Housing

Housing is a very difficult area and NH does not have specialist skills in this area.

We usually recommend that people work with the specialist housing charities listed below.

The steps are: 

  • Does you have refugee status or leave to remain? GNIB stamp 4? Without this it’s almost impossible to secure subsidised housing
  • Register on the Westmeath Co. Co housing list https://www.westmeathcoco.ie/en/media/Social%20Housing%20Support.pdf
  • Register with the following housing charities
  • Check out housing adverts in the local papers
  • Check out, and keep checking every week, the estate agents. 
  • Check out smaller towns and villages outside Athlone. I’ve had success in Ballymahon and Ferbane recently. 

Employment

You have the right to work, so you may find the Citizen’s Information document on looking for work and getting a job helpful.

Your local Intreo centre or employment services office provides information and advice for jobseekers, including a list of job vacancies. The Jobs Ireland website lists jobs that are available. It also lists employment support scheme vacancies.

Recognition of previous qualifications

Check out the Irish equivalents of Qualifications Recognition you have from your home country.

When you do find work, you should find out about your employment rights, which are protected by employment law. Specific legislation exists to protect your human rights and ensure equality at work and there are procedures to assist you to enforce your employment rights.

Social Welfare

When you are granted refugee or subsidiary protection status or permission to remain, you should apply for any social welfare payments for which you are eligible. You will satisfy the habitual residence condition, but you will have to meet other conditions. Your local social welfare office or Intreo centre will help you to apply for the correct payment for your situation.

For example:

  • If you are able to work but are unemployed, you may get Jobseeker’s Allowance. See Citizen’s Information checklist for unemployed people which has links to information about services and entitlements for unemployed people.
  • If you are unable to work due to disability or illness, you can apply for Disability Allowance. See Citizen’s Information checklist of the main services and entitlements for people with disabilities.
  • If you are the parent or guardian of a child you can apply for Child Benefit. If you need childcare, you can view See Citizen’s Information childcare checklist.
  • If you are parenting alone you can apply for One-Parent Family Payment. You can find out more in See Citizen’s Information checklist on the main services and entitlements for people parenting alone.

Education

Ireland offers free primary and secondary education to asylum-seeking children. Talk to the accommodation centre management who will help arrange schools for your children.

Education is compulsory for children in Ireland from the ages of six to 16 or until students have completed three years of second-level education.

The Irish education system is made up of primary, second, third-level and further education. State-funded education is available at primary and secondary levels.

Pre-school education is usually provided by a mix of publicly and privately funded childcare facilities or providers. The Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) Scheme provides free early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age above the age of three.

See Citizens Information on education.

Types of Educations in Ireland

Primary Education

There are a large number of primary schools in the Athlone area and asylum-seeking children have gone to all of them.

Children do not have to attend school until the age of six but it is usual for children to begin school the September following their fourth birthday. Four-year-olds and five-year-olds are enrolled in the junior or senior infant classes.

The curriculum for primary education covers the following key areas:
Language, mathematics, social, environment and scientific education, arts education including visual arts music and drama, physical integration, social personal and health education.

Primary schools are generally privately owned by religious communities (or boards of governors) but are State-funded.

Second Level Education

Second-level education is provided by different types of post-primary schools. That is, secondary, vocational, community and comprehensive schools.

In Athlone there are three secondary schools and one community college.

Secondary schools are privately owned and managed. In most cases the trustees are religious communities or boards of governors.

Vocational schools are established by the State and administered by Education and Training Boards (ETB).

Community and comprehensive schools are managed by boards of management of differing compositions.

Athlone’s second-level schools are:

  • Our Lady’s Bower – Retreat road, secondary school for girls
  • Marist College – Retreat road, secondary school for boys
  • Athlone Community College – Retreat road, community college for both girls and boys
  • Joseph’s College – Summerhill, secondary school for both boys and girls

 Second-level education consists of a three-year junior cycle followed by a two-year or three-year senior cycle depending on whether an optional transition year is taken following the junior certificate examination.

Students generally commence the junior cycle at the age of 12. The junior certificate is taken after three years.

Transition year follows the junior certificate examination. This year is free from formal examinations and allows students to experience a wide range of educational inputs, including work experience. Transition year can be a very useful experience for many students as it allows them to explore their individual skills and interests.

During their final two years in the senior cycle, students take one of three programmes, each leading to a State examination – the established Leaving Certificate, the Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme or the Leaving Certificate Applied programme.

The established Leaving Certificate is the main basis upon which places in universities, institutes of technology and colleges of education are allocated.

The Leaving Certificate Vocational Programme differs from the established Leaving Certificate in placing a concentration on technical subjects and including additional modules which have a vocational focus.

The Leaving Certificate Applied Programme has as its primary objective the preparation of participants for adult and working life through relevant learning experiences. These aim to develop the following areas of human endeavour: spiritual, intellectual, social, emotional, aesthetic and physical.

The Leaving Certificate Applied is not recognised for direct entry to third-level courses but it can enable students to take Post-Leaving Certificate courses.

Third Level Education

Third-level education is made up of a number of sectors. The university sector, the technological sector and the colleges of education are substantially funded by the State. In addition there are a number of independent private colleges.

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT)

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) offer a wide range of fulltime, part time and evening third-level courses. These courses are offered in the Business School, the School of Engineering, the School of Science and the Department of Lifelong Learning. For details see http://www.ait.ie/

There are seven universities in the republic of Ireland, which are autonomous and self-governing. They offer degree programmes at bachelor, masters and doctorate level.

The technological sector includes institutes of technology which provide programmes of education and training in areas such as business, science, engineering, linguistics and music to certificate, diploma and degree levels. The Department of Education and Skills has overall responsibility for the sector.

The colleges of education specialise in training for first-level teachers. They offer a three-year bachelor of education degree and a postgraduate diploma.

The training of second-level teachers usually involves completing a primary degree in university or other third-level institution followed by a one-year higher diploma in education. In addition, there are colleges of education that specialise in the training of second-level home economics teachers, teachers of religion and physical education.

Asylum-seeking children who have been in Irish secondary education for five years may be eligible for admission to third-level education on the same basis as Irish-born children. Other asylum seekers are not prohibited from attending third-level courses but they may be asked to pay full foreign fees for the course.

Adult Education

Further education comprises education and training which takes place after second-level schooling but which is not part of the third-level system. It includes programmes such as Post-Leaving Certificate courses; the Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (second-chance education for the unemployed); programmes in Youthreach for early school-leavers; other literacy and basic education; and self-funded evening adult programmes in second-level schools.

Special needs education for children with disabilities

Educational provision for students with special educational needs ranges from additional support in mainstream schools to specialist support in special schools. A student with a disability may be enrolled in a:

  • Mainstream class with additional support
  • Special class in a mainstream school
  • Special school which caters for the students with his or her category of disability.

If you have a child with special needs please make contact with your New Horizon volunteer as soon as possible.

Health Services

Maintaining Your Physical Health

Physical Activity

Most healthy children and adults should be active on a daily basis. This should be a mix of both leisurely physical activity and structured exercise.

Examples of leisurely physical activity include hiking, cycling, and walking. Examples of more structured forms of exercise include strength training, running, and sports.

Nutrition and Diet

Eating a healthy balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health and can help you feel your best. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions and having the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.

A well-balanced diet should contain carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, and minerals. Restricting specific nutrients should only be done under the supervision of a health professional. Fluid, ideally in the form of clean water, should be regularly consumed. Meals and snacks should be consumed throughout the day, and portion sizes should be sensible.

Alcohol and Drugs

Substances that alter mood or other bodily processes should be limited or avoided. Those with addictive tendencies or other health risks should consider complete abstinence from these substances.

 

Medical Self-Care

Each individual or family will be allocated a family doctor, known as a General Practitioner (GP). The GP is the first point of contact for all ailments. An appointment can be made by telephoning the surgery.

Basic items, such as bandages, lozenges, and over-the-counter pain-relieving medications, should be easily accessible from home. Long-term coughing, fevers, or other ailments should be addressed through primary care. Emergency treatment should be sought when signs and symptoms are significant or life-threatening.

Rest and Sleep

While regular activity is essential for physical health, allowing the body to rest is just as important. Spending time relaxing or taking short naps can help rejuvenate the body. Sleep should take place in a quiet, dark environment and should last approximately 7-9 hours. Consistent sleep that is much shorter or longer than this duration, or is low quality, may need to be addressed by a health professional.

Maintaining Your Mental Health

Many asylum seekers have been seriously affected by their experiences in their home country or while traveling to Ireland.

Be aware of the dangers of mental health problems developing and seek help if necessary. Specialist services, such as for the victims of torture, are available and your doctor can refer you to them if necessary.

Not sure if you or someone you know is living with mental health problems?

Experiencing one or more of the following feelings or behaviours can be an early warning sign of a problem:

  • Eating or sleeping too much or too little
  • Pulling away from people and usual activities
  • Having low or no energy
  • Feeling numb or like nothing matters
  • Having unexplained aches and pains
  • Feeling helpless or hopeless
  • Smoking, drinking, or using drugs more than usual
  • Feeling unusually confused, forgetful, on edge, angry, upset, worried, or scared
  • Yelling or fighting with family and friends
  • Experiencing severe mood swings that cause problems in relationships
  • Having persistent thoughts and memories you can’t get out of your head
  • Hearing voices or believing things that are not true
  • Thinking of harming yourself or others
  • Inability to perform daily tasks like taking care of your kids or getting to work or school
What impact does positive mental health have?

Positive mental health allows people to:

  • Realize their full potential
  • Cope with the stresses of life
  • Work productively
  • Make meaningful contributions to their communities
What can I do to support my mental health?

There are acts of self-care that are proven to help us feel better and get through tough times. This is about you finding what works for you.

  • Keeping Active
  • Talking about your problems
  • Doing things with others
  • Eating healthily
  • Staying in touch
  • Drinking less alcohol
  • Looking out for others
  • Sleeping well
Where can I go?

For a listening ear and emotional support you can call the Samaritans on 116 123

You can visit www.yourmentalhealth.ie which is a new online resource that contains the most comprehensive online database of mental health support services ever developed in Ireland.  The site is a place to learn about mental health and how to support yourself and the people you love. You can find support services near you and learn about the little things that can make a big difference to how you feel.

You can also find support at lms.iamheretribe.com, with over 800,000 members worldwide and a range of online courses to promote emotional, physical and social wellbeing.

Finances

For information on personal finance see the Citizens Information page on money and tax.

The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) is a free and confidential service that can help people manage their money.