The Department is currently dealing with the unprecedented challenge of accommodating people fleeing war in Ukraine and seeking international protection in Ireland from countries across the world. Our communities and neighbourhoods have responded with a generosity of spirit, as Deputy Dillon has said, in keeping with both our international reputation and our obligation to recognise the human plight and trauma people are experiencing and their right to seek protection and help from the international community.
The provision of access to accommodation, health, education, income and other supports, as appropriate, to people seeking protection is a whole-of-Government response. A range of Departments, agencies, service providers, and local authorities are involved in the accommodation, resettlement, and integration process. Given the scale and urgency of the operation to secure accommodation for unplanned new arrivals, to manage and process them appropriately, and to transfer and settle them into homes and communities, there has been a requirement to act at pace, with developments often happening at short notice.
The Department has been working across Government and with local government to develop a more coherent model of engagement with communities in advance of the opening of accommodation centres and to help strengthen and support inclusion and community development. I am glad to say that a community engagement team has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant local authorities, local development companies, and other groups and individuals where relevant and appropriate. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas, to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation, and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals. The team has been in place for a number of weeks now and we will continue to review processes and improve systems of communication as we progress with this important work.