With the Citywest transit hub at capacity and closed to new arrivals until early January, the Irish Government has activated a round-the-clock telephone helpline to ensure that people seeking international protection are not left without support during the holiday season. The Citywest complex normally serves as Ireland’s main reception point for newly arrived asylum seekers and for Ukrainian refugees transiting through Dublin.
From 23 December through 2 January, applicants who arrive at Dublin Airport or present themselves at the International Protection Office will be advised to call a freephone number staffed jointly by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Callers select the “Asylum Seekers Line” option and are either allocated designated accommodation or added to a priority list if beds are unavailable. Signage with the number is also being posted at the temporarily closed IPO building on Mount Street.
The Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth says the contingency plan is designed to avoid a repeat of September and October, when overflow crowds left dozens of single male applicants sleeping rough in the capital. Alternative reception centres have been arranged for Ukrainian refugees arriving between 23–27 December and 1–2 January, after which they will be transferred back to Citywest once processing resumes.
![24-hour helpline launched for asylum seekers as Citywest hub closes to new arrivals over Christmas]()
In this context, travelers and employers coordinating Irish entries may find VisaHQ’s services especially useful; the firm provides step-by-step visa guidance, documentation checks, and expedited submissions that help applicants steer clear of last-minute hurdles. Further details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/.
Refugee-rights groups cautiously welcomed the helpline but warned that accommodation shortages remain acute, with nearly 33,000 people already housed by the State. Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said that while the hotline is a step forward, “access to protection and shelter must be guaranteed year-round, not just at Christmas.”
For corporate mobility managers, the seasonal closure illustrates the fragility of Ireland’s reception infrastructure. Companies relocating staff on short notice should confirm that housing and registration appointments are secured well in advance during peak holiday periods. HR teams should also brief employees on the helpline in case assignees’ accompanying family members or domestic staff encounter delays at the border.
From 23 December through 2 January, applicants who arrive at Dublin Airport or present themselves at the International Protection Office will be advised to call a freephone number staffed jointly by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) and the Dublin Region Homeless Executive. Callers select the “Asylum Seekers Line” option and are either allocated designated accommodation or added to a priority list if beds are unavailable. Signage with the number is also being posted at the temporarily closed IPO building on Mount Street.
The Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Inclusion and Youth says the contingency plan is designed to avoid a repeat of September and October, when overflow crowds left dozens of single male applicants sleeping rough in the capital. Alternative reception centres have been arranged for Ukrainian refugees arriving between 23–27 December and 1–2 January, after which they will be transferred back to Citywest once processing resumes.
In this context, travelers and employers coordinating Irish entries may find VisaHQ’s services especially useful; the firm provides step-by-step visa guidance, documentation checks, and expedited submissions that help applicants steer clear of last-minute hurdles. Further details can be found at https://www.visahq.com/ireland/.
Refugee-rights groups cautiously welcomed the helpline but warned that accommodation shortages remain acute, with nearly 33,000 people already housed by the State. Nick Henderson, CEO of the Irish Refugee Council, said that while the hotline is a step forward, “access to protection and shelter must be guaranteed year-round, not just at Christmas.”
For corporate mobility managers, the seasonal closure illustrates the fragility of Ireland’s reception infrastructure. Companies relocating staff on short notice should confirm that housing and registration appointments are secured well in advance during peak holiday periods. HR teams should also brief employees on the helpline in case assignees’ accompanying family members or domestic staff encounter delays at the border.
