Minister O’Gorman launches new report on LGBTI+ people living in International Protection accommodation

Minister Roderic O’Gorman has today (12 September) launched a report which sets out new recommendations to support members of the LGBTI+ community living in International Protection accommodation.

The report, produced by LGBT Ireland, was commissioned in September 2022 with the aim of guiding the department on how best to meet its objective of ensuring that LGBTI+ residents in IPAS accommodation are supported and treated sensitively, and follows a recommendation in the LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy.

The researchers conducted focus groups with LGBTI+ people who are living in IPAS-provided accommodation, and policy recommendations include:

House Rules must be updated as a matter of urgency to include explicit statements that discrimination and harassment of LGBTI+ individuals are not accepted
trauma-informed training for accommodation centre staff and management, as well as IPAS officials, must be provided
training on issues pertaining to the LGBTI+ community must be provided to accommodation centre staff and management
opportunities that would foster solidarity between LGBTI+ residents must be facilitated

Commenting on the report, Minister O’Gorman said:

“This report is an important piece of research which provides recommendations on how we can enhance support for LGBTI+ people living in International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation. Government recognises that LGBTI+ International Protection Applicants need support and measures in place to allow them to feel recognised, protected and safe.

“While our focus remains on providing accommodation to increased numbers seeking International Protection, this report highlights how it is also imperative that we ensure that accommodation is safe and welcoming and that all staff and residents are aware that discrimination against LGBTI+ residents is not tolerated. The report outlines the detail of the lived experiences of some of our LGBTI+ residents and I would like to thank them for sharing these with us. The results of this research provide very valuable input to my department’s policy in this area."

Notes

The project was managed by Collette O'Regan and Mariem Ben Chattouh of LGBT Ireland and the research team consists of Dr Chris Noone, Dr Noemi Magugliani and Rory Sugrue.

As well as providing recommendations and data based on focus groups held, the report provides information on legal standards and highlights good practices from selected jurisdictions.

Read the full report.