Paving The Way: Our Work with Migrant Women in Ireland.

Arriving in a foreign country as a lone parent with no money, nowhere to live and no support can be traumatizing – even more so if the system you arrive in is full of pitfalls and challenging regulations.

In 2021, the Irish Government promised to end Direct Provision, but as of June 2025, more than 32,500 people remain in the system, including over 9,500 children. It is therefore vital that NGOs and civil society organizations provide support to these people in navigating the system.

ActionAid Ireland’s project Paving The Way works towards a future where lone parents living in Direct Provision are supported and provided with the vital information they need to know about their rights. Funded by St. Stephens Green Trust, the project started in 2023 and will run until 2026.

Quote from Immaculate, a member of ActionAid Ireland’s “Paving the Way” project: “I feel that my future is more in the right direction and most importantly in the right place because I am now mentally and emotionally in a position to freely dream.”

Our Advisory Group

ActionAid Ireland collaborates with an advisory group of women lone parents who have experienced the challenges of navigating the Direct Provision system firsthand.

Along with this advisory group, ActionAid Ireland is working towards ensuring that lone parents in Direct Provision can access tools and resources to claim their human rights so that all families and communities can live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives. ActionAid Ireland has created a resource with comprehensive information including services, rights and support networks for lone parents and others living in Direct Provision.

This way, we are Paving The Way so that other lone parents can navigate the way from Direct Provision to autonomous lives in Ireland.

Peer-Led Research

To strengthen the voice of women lone parents and migrant families in decisions which affect them at local and national decision-making structures and processes, ActionAid Ireland’s advisor group is conducting peer-led research.

In May 2025, the advisory group were trained in qualitative research techniques and have gathered lived evidence from other migrant lone parents in Direct Provision. This will result in a report outlining the experiences of migrants in transitioning from Direct Provision to autonomous housing.

Lone Parents group meeting at the ActionAid Ireland office, with participants gathered and engaged in discussion.

Quote from Ola, a member of ActionAid’s Paving the Way project: “My dream is to work in the NGO sector and also to see my children achieve more than I have and that’s why I am paving the way for them.”

 

Advocacy and Campaigning

Besides peer-led research, ActionAid Ireland is working on strategic advocacy, outreach and policy change to improve the conditions for people in Direct Provision. Previous campaigns have highlighted the lack of privacy and mental health issues in Direct Provision centres, the evictions faced by Lone Parents in Direct Provision and a video campaign to celebrate all migrants in Ireland.

We strive to challenge current policies and regulations for international protection applicants and highlight the benefits of inclusion and integration for communities.

Currently, ActionAid Ireland is working with photographer Beta Bajgart on a storytelling project capturing the resilience and challenges of the women involved in the campaign with the view of holding a photo exhibition and outreach event later in 2025.

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