Asylum: A family hopes and prays an end is in sight

After more than eight years of hoping, waiting and praying, Laiq and his family of four are cautiously hopeful that an end might finally be in sight.

Laiq lives in a single room at the Eglinton direct provision centre in Salthill, Co Galway. He and his wife sleep on a king-sized mattress on the floor with their youngest son, Sarmad (5). Their two older sons, Waleed (16) and Nabeed (12), sleep on beds surrounding them.

It's how they've lived for years, since they made the journey from Pakistan.

The Government working group’s proposals to improve the direct provision system could – if approved – transform their lives.

The proposals to increase welfare supports would make a difference in making ends meet and paying for prescription medicines.

But the prospect of securing residency under a fast- track measure within six months is what would really change their world, Laiq says.

"It is safe in Ireland – that is why we are here," he says. "But a hostel is not a good place to raise a family. It's crowded. There is no privacy. There is no freedom."

Waleed will soon be preparing for his Leaving Cert, but he says studying is hard when there is no room and your younger brothers are bouncing off the walls.

The younger boys play in the corridors and the grounds of the hostel because there isn’t space in the room.

The family are members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community. About 60 others of the same faith are in the asylum system and claim they fled persecution at home, where they are not allowed to identify as Muslims.

Laiq worked in telecoms in a public sector job before arriving here. The family has sought subsidiary protection which, if successful, would give them the right to reside in Ireland and allow him to work for the first time.

Meanwhile, tensions are inevitable in a centre shared by dozens of families of different faiths and nationalities.

Under strict house rules, they can’t leave their accommodation for any significant period of time. If the working group’s proposals are implemented, they might not have to worry about that.

“I feel guilty that I’m not able to teach the children properly,” says Laiq. “To have a normal life in the community . . . that is what we want more than anything.”