Refugee

A Refugee is defined under the 1951 United Nations Refugee Convention as

A person who is outside his or her country of nationality or habitual residence; has a well founded fear of persecution because of his or her race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion; and is unable or unwilling to avail himself or herself of the protection of that country or to return there for fear of persecution.

Those with refugee status enjoy similar rights to Irish nationals and these rights are set out in the Refugee Act 1996. To view the Refugee Act, 1996 click here

Registration
When an individual receives the final (second) letter declaring they are a refugee from the Ministerial Decisions Unit of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform they must register with the nearest Garda Immigration Officer. If they do not know where their nearest Garda Immigration Officer they can ask in their local Garda Station or telephone the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) in Dublin at 01 666 9100.

When a refugee  visit the nearest office they should bring with them the original letter declaring their refugee status. It is important for the refugee to keep this letter (or a copy) as this shows the difference between their  status and the one of other non-nationals living in Ireland. Individuals should make a photocopy of the letter before visiting the Garda Immigration Officer.


On registration they  will receive a registration card with their picture and stamp no.4.
this needs to renewed every year and the individual should visit the Immigration office one month, at the latest, before their card is due to expire or if they change address, even within the same area.

Employment
The registered person  can now work and set up a business in Ireland without further documentation.
For further information, contact the local FAS office or Citizens Information Board. Before starting work the refugee should talk to their Jobs Facilitator in the Social Welfare Office to see if they qualify for any assistance once they start work.

 

FAS
Those with refugee status are entitled to go to FAS courses and the Community Employment scheme. For detailed information the individual should talk to a FAS officer or Local Employment Service mediator.

 

Social Welfare
As the person is now entitled to work they should be receiving a basic payment from the local Social Welfare Office and not the local Health Board. They should ask their current Community Welfare Officer to tell them where the nearest Social Welfare Office is. If they are able to work they will receive Unemployment Assistance. If they are unable to work due to illness or disability or because they are a single parent, they will be asked to apply for a payment that suits their circumstances.


If they are a parent or guardian they should be receiving Child Benefit for every child under 19 years and in full time education, in their custody. They will also receive payment for children before they go to school. The forms are available from the local Social Welfare Office.

Those with refugee status are entitled to apply for 'Exceptional Needs Payments' from the local Community Welfare Officer for extra essential outlays eg. equipment for a new baby. Each application is taken on a case-by-case basis so there is no guarantee of payment.

Refugees are exempt from satisfying the Habitual Residence Condition, for more information on this click here.