Life in Direct Provision

Introduction

This database provides information for people in the Irish Asylum system who find themselves in Athlone in the Irish Midlands.

The asylum system is difficult and complex and may change from time to time. The information given in this document is correct at the time of writing but we recommend that you contact lawyers and advice services to find out if the information given is still valid. A list of legal and advice services is given in the appendix to this document.

Important

Information given in this document or by a New Horizon volunteer is not legal advice. If you need legal advice it is important to consult a lawyer.

If you notice content which is incorrect, misleading or inaccurate in this database please let us know at wiki@newhorizonathlone.org .

Paper versions of this database are printed as needed.

Welcome to Ireland

Ireland is an island in the North Atlantic. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel, the Irish Sea and St George’s Channel.  Ireland is the second-largest island of the British Isles, the third-largest in Europe, and the twentieth-largest on Earth.

The island of Ireland is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially named Ireland), which covers five-sixths of the island, and Northern Ireland, which is part of the United Kingdom, in the northeast of the island.

In 2018, the population of the island of Ireland was about 6.7 million, ranking it the second-most populous island in Europe after Great Britain. More than 4.8 million people live in the Republic of Ireland and just over 1.8 million live in Northern Ireland.

The island has relatively low-lying mountains surrounding a central plain, with several navigable rivers extending inland. The island has lush vegetation, a product of its mild but changeable climate which avoids extremes in temperature. The Irish climate is very moderate. As a result, winters are milder than expected for such a northerly area with infrequent frost and snow. Summers are cooler than those in Continental Europe with abundant rainfall and cloud cover.

 

Travelling to the U.K.

Travel between the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland is usually uncontrolled and it is frequently difficult to know where the border is. The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) and British immigration occasionally have checks on public transport crossing the border.

If you have applied for asylum in the Republic of Ireland you are not automatically entitled to travel to Northern Ireland. Ask for advice before attempting to cross the border.

Athlone

Athlone is a town on the River Shannon near the southern shore of Lough Ree. It is the largest town in the Midlands Region. Most of the town lies on the east bank of the river; however, an area on the west bank of the Shannon is also included in the town.

The 2016 Census of Ireland recorded the population of the town at 21,349. Recent growth has also occurred outside the town’s boundaries, mainly to the west in an area called Monksland.

A direct provision (DP) site for accommodating asylum seekers has been in operation in Athlone since 2000.

More information on Athlone from Wikipedia

Transport

Road

The town is situated on the M6 motorway connecting Galway to Dublin. The route bypasses Athlone on the northern side of the town, crossing the River Shannon into county Roscommon. A number of national secondary roads connect Athlone with other towns and regions. The N55 road connects the town with Ballymahon and Cavan, the N61 road connects it with Roscommon, and the N62 road connects it with Birr, Roscrea, and southern Ireland.

If you are arriving by car from Dublin or Galway, at exit 10 from the bypass take the N55 north. If arriving by bus or train take the N55 north. The accommodation unit is located behind the Department of Education and Skills building, approximately 2km from the town centre.

Bus

Bus Éireann, the national bus operator, operates beside the railway station and provides an hourly service to Dublin and Galway. Other services provide transportation to Limerick, Dundalk, Waterford, Cavan, Belfast, Longford, and Roscommon.

Bus Éireann also operates a local Athlone bus service. Route 459 runs from the Bus Station to Willow Park and Athlone Institute Of Technology, Route 459A runs from Monksland, in the west to Athlone Institute Of Technology.

A bus service operates twice a day to the Direct Provision site.

See Bus timetable

Rail

Athlone railway station provides train services travelling eastwards to Portarlington, Kildare, and Dublin Heuston, and westwards to the Westport/Ballina lines as well as to Athenry, Oranmore, and Galway.

Taxi

Taxi service is widely available throughout the area but this is more expensive than public transport.

Emergency Services

All emergency services, Ambulance, Police (Gardai), and Fire Brigade, may be contacted by ringing 999 or 112. There is no charge for using this number. It may be called from any phone even if you do not have credit on the phone.

Police

An Garda Siochana (known as ‘the Guards’) is the Irish police service. They are an unarmed service. They have been quite helpful and supportive to asylum seekers and refugees in the past.

The local Garda station is in Barrack street Athlone, beside the big church. Telephone (090) 64 98550

The Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) deals with immigration-related issues. They are based in Harcourt St. Dublin 2. Telephone 01-6666666.

Note that all these activities are criminal offenses in Ireland. If you commit any of them, prosecution may follow:

  • Begging
  • Carrying a weapon, including knives of any sort, is considered a very serious offence
  • Larceny (stealing, shoplifting)
  • Creating a nuisance or disturbance
  • Driving without a license or insurance
  • Assault
  • Domestic Violence is totally unacceptable in this country.
  • Drunk and Disorderly behaviour

If you are convicted of any offence this may have an effect on any future application you make for leave to remain.

Ambulance Service

The National Ambulance Service provides paramedic support and transport to hospital in case of emergency. Phone 999 or 112.

Fire

The Fire brigade service covers fire emergencies. Phone 999 or 112.

 

The Direct Provision Site

The asylum seekers site in Lissywollen Athlone has been in operation since October 1999. Located in an industrial area on the northern outskirts of the town, it consists of 100 mobile homes, an administration block and a medical block.

There are 19 6-berth and 81 4-berth mobile homes giving a total possible population of 438 people.  Normally 200 to 300 residents live there.

It was originally a family-only site but now also accommodates single asylum seekers.

The administration block consists of a canteen, laundry, community welfare office, recreation area and offices.

The medical block contains the public health nurse, and doctor’s office.

There is a playground and a few open areas that are used for sporting activities.

Living in Direct Provision

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.

Volunteering

Benefits of Volunteering

Volunteering offers many benefits to people in the asylum-seeking process.

It:

  • Builds community resources
  • Allows you to practice a new language
  • Builds networks of contacts
  • Gives you new skills
  • Helps your physical and mental health
Westmeath Volunteer Centre

You can register as a volunteer with the Westmeath Volunteer Centre.

Here you can:

  • Find out about volunteering opportunities without having to make a commitment.
  • Get information on hundreds of different volunteering opportunities.
  • Talk to someone on the how, why and where of volunteering.
  • Get ongoing support and advice if you want it.

Education

Primary

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

Children in Ireland do not have to attend school until the age of six, but it is usual for school to start the September following a child’s 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 mostly owned by religious communities (or boards of governors) but are State-funded.

Secondary

Second-level education starts for children around the age of eleven. It is provided by different types of post-primary schools. These are 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:

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. 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.

Tertiary

Third-level, or tertiary, 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

Athlone Institute of Technology (AIT) offers 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.