Am Only Saying It Now: Experiences of Women Seeking Asylum in Ireland

The average wait for an asylum, protection or leave to remain claim to be processed in Ireland is a minimum of two years, with some women waiting five years or more, during which time they and their families live in direct provision, having been dispersed to regional accommodation centres. Many women in direct provision accommodation are often times battling poor living conditions, which can contribute to unsuitable or unsafe situations for them. Children are spending their formative years living in direct provision. In 2009, AkiDwA’s director spent time speaking to 121 women about their experiences of Ireland’s reception and asylum system. This report reflects those women’s views and experiences.