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Immigration Policy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 September 2020

Tuesday, 8 September 2020

Questions (890, 891)

Bernard Durkan

Question:

890. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the extent to which renewed efforts are being made to facilitate integration; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22660/20]

View answer

Bernard Durkan

Question:

891. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice the number and location of integration projects in operation nationwide; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22661/20]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 890 and 891 together.

My Department administers a National Funding Programme to Promote the Integration of Migrants, which has 15 projects located throughout Ireland. Grants totalling almost €2 million (€1,987,890) are spread over three years to support the implementation of these projects.

On 11 August 2020, I announced a call for applications under the National Integration Fund 2020, with funding of almost €2.2 million available over a three year period. This is a key element of the Migrant Integration Strategy 2017-2020. The Strategy was developed to enable migrants, or persons of migrant origin, to participate on an equal basis with those of Irish heritage.

The Fund will support communities to promote the integration of migrants and their children into Irish society and selected projects will help to combat racism and xenophobia. The closing date for applications under the Fund is 22 September 2020.

Under the Communities Integration Fund 2019, which has a maximum grant of €5,000 per project, there were 125 successful applications from 25 counties for the €500,000 funding available. Applications for the 2020 Fund are currently being assessed and the results will be known in the coming weeks. The 2020 Fund also has funding of €500,000 available.

The Funds Administration Unit of my Department administers larger grants and those for multi-annual projects using funding from European sources, including the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The 2019 AMIF allocation provided funding of €4,487,919 to 19 projects and the 2019 ESF allocation provided funding of €3,288,498 to 5 projects.

While the locations of these projects could not be compiled within the timeframe available for this response, I am arranging for the information to be forwarded to the Deputy in the coming days.

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