The transfer of functions between Departments is governed by the Ministers and Secretaries Acts 1924-2017, and will be determined by a Government decision and resulting Transfer of Functions Order.
The implementation of the transfer of functions is also guided by the Transfer of Functions Guidelines and Best Practice Handbook developed by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. This is available online at https://www.gov.ie/en/publication/a490d1-transfer-of-functions-guidelines-and-best-practice-handbook/
In line with the Guidelines, a working group has been established within my Department to arrange the transfer of functions on foot of the new allocation of responsibilities. This group is working with officials in the Department of Children and Youth Affairs to make appropriate arrangements for the transfer. In addition, my Department is also working with the Office of the Attorney General and the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel in respect of the drafting of the Transfers of Functions Order.
I expect that final arrangements will be agreed, subject to Government approval, within the timelines set out under the Guidelines. In line with the guidelines, staff working on the functions to be transferred will move with the functions. Therefore, the staff of the International Protection Accommodation Service and the International Protection Procurement Service will transfer to the restructured Department of Children and Youth Affairs.
The intention is to publish a White Paper by the end of this year, informed by the recommendations of the Expert Group led by Dr Catherine Day, which will set out how a replacement to the Direct Provision system will be structured and the steps to achieving it. This will be a matter for Minister O'Gorman to progress following the transfer of this function to his Department.
