Yearly Archives: 2017

From top: A Direct Provision protest last year; Issues raised by children living in DP centres

A report report into conditions faced by children in Direct provision was published by the Department of Justice

The report, conducted by University College Cork on behalf, concluded:

The main message that emerges from the data is that on the whole, children and young people living in Direct Provision are dissatisfied with the system and say that their personal wellbeing, family life, private life and social life is adversely affected by long stays in the Direct Provision centres.

Although some of the children and young people talked about “the amazing community” and “nice people,” and others referred to their enjoyment of having easy access to their friends, the majority of those consulted are highly critical of what they state are the live for long periods of time.

They say that they do not like the system, that it is “not fair”, “not safe,” and that they are frequently subjected to rudeness and insensitive treatment by staff (including security staff) and by adults living in the centres.

Many children and young people raised issues relating to racism, stigma and bullying, both where they live, and in school.

While some of the children and young people like the area they live in, particularly those who live near the sea and those who live near the centre of Dublin, many said they “can’t travel” because of poor transport services, have very little access to outside places, and “don’t really go out.”

A number of children and young people also talked about the problems they face in going on trips organised by their schools.

A recurring theme among the children and young people consulted was the food they are provided with in their centres. In particular, many issues arose about the quality and the quantity of food that is provided.

The diets were described as “horrible and disgusting” (13 – 18 years), “always the same” (8 – 12 years), and “the food has no taste.” (8 – 12 years).

Undercooked food, especially chicken, came up as a problem in a number of consultations, and children said that residents often won’t eat the food.

Access to culturally appropriate food and/or cooking facilities was also an issue, as was the communal dining system. One child said they “do not like to stand in the queue for food” (8 – 12 years).

All ages spoke about the inadequacy of the weekly payments to meet basic needs such as school books, uniforms and other related expenses. Teenagers also mentioned the clothing allowance as being entirely unrealistic and as contributing to difficulties in fitting in with their peers.

A striking finding from these consultations is the similarity between the themes emerging, and those identified in the ‘Working Group to Report to Government on Improvements to the Protection Process, includin g Direct Provision and Supports to Asylum Seekers. Final Report: June 2015’, namely living conditions, supports, and the length of time for processing asylum applications.

There you go now.

FULL report here 

White Hag brewmaster Joe Kearns

The White Hag is celebrating its third birthday by holding an International Brewery Festival next week, on July 29 in their brewery in Ballymote, County Sligo.

Hag BrewMaster Joe Kearns has been an outspoken advocate of beer tourism and a sustainable taproom culture.

Joe writes:

Beer tourism is basically non-existent in Ireland. Sure, there are people trying to tour, and breweries trying to give tours, but the entire package is missing due to licensing laws.

Beer tourism could have a dramatic effect on the more rural parts of Ireland in several ways. For example, public transportation and infrastructure is severely lacking in these areas, so finding work as a young person who can’t afford to drive is nearly impossible.

Guided tours, taprooms, and visitor centers will enable breweries to hire more local, unskilled labour.

Also, there’s a knock-on effect of bringing new money into the local economy. With an influx of new people comes the need for more accommodation, food services, souvenir shops, etc.

Taprooms in the U.S. have literally transformed old, abandoned industrial and warehouse districts into thriving, modern cultural centers. They’ve created a new economy in areas where the economy had all but packed up and left.

But its not just about advocating for beer tourism. At the core of us hosting a beer festival is the theme we’ve built it around, bringing beer never poured here before to Ireland. And its not just about new beer. It’s important for breweries, like us, who have a high focus on export to bring other brewers ‘home’.

It enables a small, relatively unknown brewery, to enter a market attached to an established brewery, at a significantly lower, or zero cost. Working across borders also breeds and feeds innovation, the life blood of our fledgling industry.

Innovation in the brewing industry is happening everywhere, and Irish brewers are quickly catching up to the bigger markets.

The country is miles ahead of where it was compared to 2013 when I first arrived. There’s always room for more innovation, and we strive to lead by example.

We’re also very keen to bring that example and innovation to the masses, not just a small craft beer community. The festival is less about what it’s going to do for The White Hag, and more about what it’s going to do for beer fans and Sligo itself.

We’re bringing in beers and ciders and meads, along with the good people who make them, from Ireland, Europe, and North America, and they’re all products that have never been available in Ireland before.

I guess for us it’s about celebrating our birthday by celebrating the growth and diversity of this industry. This is the best industry in the world. It’s full of great people and great beers, and a lot of them will be here!

The White Hag Extravaganza

Notice: Cathal Redmond won last month’s Hagstravaganza’s competition.

Free SATURDAY?

Dublin Maker is a volunteer-run event that attracted 10,000 peoeple to Merrion Square, Dublin 2 last year.

David McKeown writes:

Dublin Maker is a spectacular family-friendly day of invention, creativity and resourcefulness. A completely free to attend, community-run event will transform Merrion Squareinto a wonderland of inventors from all over Ireland this Saturday,  July 22.

Featuring a host of clever hacks, intriguing innovations and maker movement magic – come along to find out how robots are made, instruments are created and beer gets brewed. See woodturners and weavers in action and medical devices being 3D printed. And MORE.

Dublin Maker (Facebook)