Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) Press Release
Press Release – for Immediate Release.
Date: 10th July 2007
From the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW).
Social Workers call for government action on Roma family crisis in North Dublin
The Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW) calls on the Departments of Health and Children and of Justice to act now to provide accommodation for the 18 families of Roma origin, including 23 children, who are living in deplorable and hazardous conditions on the M50/Ballymun roundabout in North Dublin.
Social workers believe that conditions in the camp constitute a humanitarian crisis that may become a public health issue. Within the camp, living conditions have worsened throughout June, one of the wettest on record. There is no access to water or sanitation facilities and rats have been seen around and in the tents. There are no sanitation facilities in or near the camp. Medical professionals have highlighted the public health issues, noting that conditions in the camp may give rise to serious infectious diseases such as gastroenteritis, Weil’s disease, typhoid and other hygiene related infections. The camps are located on a busy roundabout of the M50 motorway and social workers are also concerned that a serious accident may occur.
Under the Child Care Act 1991, the HSE has a statutory responsibility to protect and promote the welfare of all children living in this state. The IASW has learned that as a result of various government policies, social workers and other agencies working together locally have been unable to adequately fulfil their statutory duties towards these children. These families from Romania and Bulgaria, although EU citizens, are not entitled to any state services such as social welfare, community welfare and homelessness services. One of the top priorities for social workers is to help keep families together by accessing whatever supports are available. But in this case it is the absence of state provision due to government policy that has led to this crisis.
Declan Coogan, Communications Co-ordinator of the IASW said: “The Departments of Health and Children and of Justice need to act now to provide accommodation for these families and to clarify their legal status in a way that does not discriminate against them. Many people have responded generously through donating food and clothes to these families, especially residents in Ballymun and the Traveller community in the area. But their generosity is not enough. This is a humanitarian crisis and may become a public health issue if the situation is not resolved. It is not acceptable that anyone should live in such unsafe and unsanitary conditions in Ireland. The most pressing need is for suitable dry and hygienic accommodation”.
Background Information:
New legislation introduced by the Minister for Justice last year means that although the citizens of Romania and Bulgaria are now members of the EU, they do not have the same rights and entitlements as all other citizens of the EU. They can travel to Ireland without a visa but cannot work without a permit or receive any state support including social welfare, community care services or emergency accommodation. The IASW fully acknowledges and supports the efforts of the social workers in Ballymun and their collaborative efforts with various agencies including the ISPCC, An Garda Síochána, Public Health Nurses, the Area Medical Officer, the Social Inclusion Manager of the HSE, the Homeless Agency, the Reception and Integration Agency and Pavee Point in an attempt to support the families.
The best standards of social work practice, legislation and the Irish constitution makes clear that it is in the best interest of children to remain with their families and they should only be removed in circumstances of serious risk and when all other avenues of support have been exhausted.
Declan Coogan, Communications Co-ordinator of the IASW is available on 01 6774838 for further comment and information.
114-116 Pearse St, Dublin 2.
Further information:
- Opportunity for Ireland to Promote Human Rights Should Not be Missed - Crosscare
- Irish Traveller Movement supports Pavee Point in its role in highlighting humanitarian crisis of Roma at M50
- 26 July 2007 - Pavee Point Statement
- Statement from ATD Fourth World
- 24 July 2007 - Press Release: Roma Repatriation
- Romani CRISS reports and Photographs
- Statement by the Children's Rights Alliance: Roma Crisis
- 24 July 2007 - Point of clarification
- 23 July 2007 - Pavee Point rejects accusations of the Embassy of Romania in Ireland
- 23 July 2007 - Press Release: Response to the Statement from the Romanian Embassy
- 21 July 2007 - Press Release: Deportation Notices an Inadequate Response to Roma Crisis
- Press release: Inhumane Living Conditions in Ireland- Not Acceptable, Action Demanded Now.
- Press Release June 07: Pavee Point and the Roma Support Group calls on Government to offer humane support to Roma Families camping on roundabout.
- Case Study: Rostas Family
- Statement from Anastasia Crickley of the the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights (FRA)
- Social Workers call for action to reunite children with parents. Press release from the Irish Association of Social Workers (IASW)
- Photographs from the scene at the Ballymun Roundabout
- Background context report by ERRC, Romania: State of Impunity Human Rights Abuse of Roma in Romania (PDF)
- Extract from Council of Europe/European Commission against Racism and Intolerence: Third Report on Roma (PDF)
- Campaign Support: How to support the Roma