The case of a South African family seeking asylum here, who are challenging the State's decision to move them from hotel accommodation in Co Wicklow, to temporary accommodation in Co Mayo, has been adjourned.
The family, who have three young children, were moved at a week's notice and have previously described the decision as irrational and unreasonable when the children had only just started school in Wicklow.
Today, the High Court was told that an education and welfare officer was attempting to find school places for them in Co Mayo, but that there was no accommodation available for the family either at the hotel they had been staying in Co Wicklow or in its vicinity.
Senior Counsel David Conlan Smyth, acting on behalf of the State, said that this was due to the unprecedented pressure on the State at the moment to provide housing for international protection applicants and Ukrainian refugees.
He asked that the case be adjourned to allow time for affidavits from the many State agencies involved in the case to be gathered.
Senior Counsel Tony McGillicuddy, acting on behalf of the plaintiffs, said his clients wished to proceed with the case. He said there was a lack of urgency by the State in dealing with the matter. He said the children were not in school and now they were being told nothing could be done because schools are on holiday. Mr McGillicuddy said that the children now did not have access to education and said that it had been taken away from them by the actions of the State.
Mr Justice Brian O'Moore said for the purpose of due process, the case would be adjourned. He directed that the motion be listed for hearing on 15 November.
He confirmed that the plaintiffs should continue to be referred to simply as D and others.
