Support services for foreign nationals in Ireland

Information

There is a range of supports for foreign nationals in Ireland and this document is an overview of some of the various public and voluntary supports available. People come to Ireland from other countries for a variety of reasons; for example, as tourists or short-term visitors. Many foreign nationals are working or studying here while others have retired to Ireland. Some people may be looking for protection and intend to apply for refugee status or other protection. If you are moving to Ireland you need find out information about living here including housing, residency, health services and employment. You can find information for migrants on the website of the Office of the Minister for Integration.

Garda Racial and Intercultural Office

The Garda Racial and Intercultural Office is responsible for advising, monitoring and co-ordinating police activity in Ireland around racial, ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. The office is currently developing a recording mechanism that will capture data concerning racially motivated incidents which occur anywhere in Ireland. This data will be made available to all Garda stations in the country so every incident will be logged and reports and complaints can be tracked. Links have also been established with services providing support to victims of crime concerning racial issues. It is intended that victims of racially motivated crime will be referred to this service. An initiative currently being explored by the Racial and Intercultural Office is the development of a network of representatives (or contact people) within minority ethnic communities in Ireland. Other ongoing initiatives include the quarterly production of a Garda Racial and Intercultural Newsletter, together with the developing of awareness-raising campaigns on racial and ethnic issues.

Irish Tourist Assistance Service

Taking basic precautions can help you avoid being a victim of crime. If however you have experienced crime, the Irish Tourist Assistance Service (ITAS) can be of help. ITAS is a free nationwide service offering support and assistance to tourists who are victimised while visiting Ireland. It can liaise with embassies or consulates, help with language difficulties, deal with medical needs, arrange accommodation or meals if needed and help to replace stolen travel tickets. Remember however, ITAS does not provide financial assistance to victims of crime, replace lost or stolen items or offer legal or insurance advice.

Foreign embassies/consulates

There are a number of foreign embassies and consulates in Ireland that provide consular services to nationals of their country. These services include advice and practical help with travel documentation. If you lose your passport or travel documentation when you are in Ireland, you will need to contact your country’s embassy or consulate. It can issue you with temporary travel documents. Your embassy or consulate can also be of assistance to you in the case of a medical emergency. They can advise relatives or friends about accidents or illnesses, act as a liaison with hospitals and doctors and arrange for interpretative services, if necessary. If you are the victim of a crime while in Ireland, your embassy or consulate can liaise with local police and let your friends and family know of your situation. Likewise, if you have been arrested or imprisoned, your embassy or consulate can put you in contact with suitable legal representation, ensure that your rights are respected and advise you of your entitlements. If a member of your family dies while abroad, your embassy or consulate can assist you in dealing with the formalities, such as death certificates and police reports.

Immigrant Council of Ireland

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) is an independent, national organisation which supports migrants coming to Ireland for purposes such as work, study, family reunification, self-employment or to visit. The ICI provides an information service and a limited legal service to immigrants. It also offers a training service, organises public events and produces publications on immigrant issues such as citizenship and residency, visas, employment permits, family reunification and voluntary return. The ICI works with immigrant groups to try and improve government policy on issues relating to immigrants and to campaign for immigrants rights. It has produced a directory of ethnic-led organisations which is a resource for people seeking contacts within the migrant communities, with the media, service providers or businesses. The ICI has started regular clinics offering free and confidential employment law advice for migrant workers.

Migrant Rights Centre

The Migrant Rights Centre (MRC) is a national organisation which provides support to migrant workers and their families. It targets families in vulnerable circumstances and tries to improve their social and economic conditions. The MRC operates a drop-in centre which provides information, advice and assistance. It also encourages migrants to get involved in their community and actively participate in all levels of society.

Crosscare Migrant Project

Crosscare Migrant Project (formerly Emigrant Advice) provides information, support and advocacy to migrants. It provides its information and referral service to immigrants and members of new communities living in Ireland, as well as to intending, existing and returning Irish emigrants. Its website livinginireland.ie is a guide to all aspects of living in Ireland and is available in English, Brazilian Portuguese, Arabic, Russian and Chinese.

The Integration Centre

The Integration Centre - Connecting Communities, Advancing Integration (formerly the Refugee Information Service and Integrating Ireland) provides information, advice and training services on immigrant rights and entitlements to individuals and families as well as to organisations. It is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. It specialises in integration planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels and conducts evidence-based research to influence positive change in legislation, policy and practice.

Reception and Integration Agency

The Reception and Integration Agency  (RIA) is responsible for co-ordinating the provision of services to both asylum seekers and refugees in Ireland. It deals with integration policy for all refugees and people who have been granted leave to remain in the State. It arranges accommodation and works with statutory and non-statutory agencies to co-ordinate the delivery of other services (including health, social services, welfare and education) for asylum seekers and refugees. The RIA is also responsible for responding to crisis situations which result in large numbers of refugees arriving in Ireland within a short period of time.

Scheme of repatriation

The Reception and Integration Agency works with the Department of Social Protection to support the repatriation of nationals of the new EU member states. The scheme applies to people who have failed the habitual residency condition attaching to social assistance payments. Any citizen of a former EU accession state, and certain other ‘special-case’ EU nationals, who find themselves destitute during their time in Ireland can apply for repatriation. You can find information about this for EEA nationals who are homeless on the Migrants Rights Centre website.

Scheme of voluntary assisted return

If you are an asylum seeker or an irregular migrant from an non-EEA country who wishes to return voluntarily to your country of origin but do not have the means to do so, the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) may be able to assist you to return home. The IOM is an independent international organisation working in the field of migration - see 'Where to apply' below. It can assist you with appropriate travel documentation and arrange for transit and arrival assistance if needed. When you travel with the IOM, you travel independently and without an escort. The reasons for your stay in Ireland remain confidential and are not shared with anybody outside the voluntary return process. If you return voluntarily and you have no outstanding criminal court proceedings, you may apply to re-enter Ireland legally for the purpose of work, study, etc.

Citizens Information

This website citizensinformation.ie is a comprehensive source of information on public services in Ireland. Information is available on issues such as residence rights, employment rights, health services, housing, social security entitlements and general information about moving to Ireland. Citizens Information is also available by telephone through the Citizens Information Phone Service or in person by calling to a Citizens Information Centre (CIC) near you. Citizens Information is funded and supported by the Citizens Information Board which is the national agency responsible for supporting the provision of information, advice and advocacy to the public on the broad range of social and civil services.

How to apply

If you are ordinarily resident in Ireland you are entitled to public health services on the same basis as Irish nationals. Further information on health services is available from your Local Health Office. 

If you are entitled to a social welfare payment in Ireland, you will need to visit your local social welfare office.

If you are homeless, you should contact your local authority for information about accommodation. Threshold, a voluntary organisation, provides advice and support to non-Irish nationals who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. You can also get advice about your situation from your nearest Citizens Information Centre.

Where to apply