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People living in Ireland with relatives abroad have spoken of their feelings of loneliness and frustration, in relation to not being able to go home and see their family this Christmas.
According to CSO figures from April 2020, there were an estimated 644,400 non-Irish citizens living in Ireland, 12.9% of the total population.
Many have not seen their family for almost a year, and while they understand that it is for public health reasons, they say that the government’s approach to travel has been primarily tourists and vacations.
Agnieszka Stawosz, who runs the Hideout Café in Cork, says she booked flights to Poland for Christmas in the summer, when rates of the virus were much lower and air travel had reopened.
Now, you have no idea if you can go home. He has lived in Ireland for 20 years and has friends here, but none of his relatives live in the country.
“I am concerned that I am putting myself at risk, and that I am putting my parents at risk. Because of their age, if they were exposed, they would be in trouble.”
You usually don’t go home for Christmas because you work in hospitality and that’s the busiest time for the industry.
He was hoping that this year with the business downturn he could go home, but now it seems unlikely.
“I don’t know if I’ll even get the flight money back, or I’ll have to let it go.
“I’m lucky the stash is open, but my earnings are half what they should be.”
She says she was hopeful that the EU’s new traffic light system would allow people to at least go home, but was confused when the government discouraged people from booking flights.
“I’m happy to pay for a test before I go, one after I get off the plane and again after I return. [to Ireland].
“There is no real guide and our lives are on hold.”
Majo Rivas, who also lives in Cork, has not seen his family for 18 months. They live in the Asunción metropolitan area of Paraguay.
You usually only return once a year as it takes three different flights for a total of 24 hours and can be expensive.
His visit normally lasts a few weeks and he planned to return in April this year, which was canceled.
The family also experienced a loss this year, made even more difficult by the fact that they were separated by an ocean.
Ms. Rivas says she returns to spend time with her mother, brothers, and nephews and nephews, who are growing up very fast.
“I am also aware that I am in the privileged position of seeing my family once a year, there are people living in direct provision who cannot see their family or are waiting for reunification.”
He adds that he would like the government’s approach to travel to be more consistent.
“There is a source of frustration … tourism is coming in, and it’s not clear that the government is doing everything it can to make sure this trip is essential. And are they really isolating?”
“It can be very difficult when you are an immigrant or an immigrant, to see what seems to be a really lax approach to this issue.
“We are being asked to sacrifice a lot, and it is fair, but seeing this approach not clearly applied to other groups makes it more difficult.”
Brian Killoran, executive director of the Immigrant Council of Ireland, says that while Ireland is home to many people with a migrant background, for many, the majority of their families and support networks are elsewhere.
“The travel restrictions associated with the pandemic have highlighted this separation, and many of our clients and colleagues have described the loneliness they have felt as a result.
“Christmas can be a particularly difficult time for many, so as communities we must take care of those who may be alone and do what we can to reach out and (safely) spread some festive cheer.”
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