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Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 15 Jun 2000

Vol. 521 No. 3

Written Answers. - Kosovar Refugees.

Liz McManus

Question:

12 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the discussions the Minister of State of his Department has had with Kosovar refugees here; if it is intended to repatriate Kosovar refugees, especially having regard to the conditions to which they would be returning; when a decision will be made on the question; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16836/00]

The Minister of State, Deputy O'Donnell met a group of Kosovar refugees on 9 May to discuss a number of questions they had raised regarding their position in Ireland. She has also been in touch with them subsequently on a number of points made at that meeting.

She informed them that the UN High Commission for Refugees has indicated formally to host countries that it was now safe for the vast majority of Kosovar refugees in asylum countries to return home. At the same time, the UNHCR has called for a co-ordinated and phased return of refugees to Kosovo. I might note that since the Minister of State's meeting with the refugees, the UNHCR has in recent days come out in favour of phased return over a number of years, because the situation there remains extremely precarious, with pressures on all services and few real possibilities for employment at the current time. This is naturally something to which we would wish to have regard in further consideration of the future of what has been to date a very successful programme.

I want to make very clear the Minister of State and I support a voluntary return programme. Those who wish to return home now will be assisted financially by the Government to help them start the process of rebuilding their homes and their lives. We are working on this at the moment. Some refugees, on the other hand, may not feel ready to return to Kosovo at present, and we believe it would be appropriate to allow them to remain in Ireland for a further period. When the refugees came to Ireland last year, it was indicated to them that, if they wished, they could apply to extend their permission to remain beyond the initial period of one year granted to them. The refugees have clearly benefited from their time here and a further period would allow them more time to consolidate their situation before returning.
The Minister of State is in touch with other relevant Ministers regarding the future of the programme and official level discussions will also take place next week. Decisions on the programme will be made as quickly as is consistent with a humane and considered approach based on the needs of the refugees.
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