State lodges appeal over court ruling on IPA rights

The State has lodged an appeal against a High Court judgment, delivered in August, on the rights of international protection applicants to have their basic needs, including accommodation, met by the State.

The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission (IHREC) which brought the case to the High Court, received formal notice of the appeal today.

The judgment found that in failing to provide accommodation for international protection applicants, the State had breached their human right to dignity.

When IHREC began its case in December 2023, there were 259 international protection applicants left unaccommodated.

By the time of hearing of the case in May, that number had risen to 1,715.

As of today, 2,897 people remain unaccommodated by the State.

Head of Legal at the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Michael O'Neill, said once again, so many are facing into an Irish winter without accommodation.

"We are cognisant of the deteriorating weather conditions in the coming days."

In a statement, he said the humanitarian emergency that existed last year remains today.

"It is imperative that every person arriving in Ireland seeking international protection has their basic needs meet, including accommodation, food and access to medical care and hygiene facilities," he said.