Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 19 November 2020
256. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Irish refugee protection programme has continued the resettlement programme under level 5 lockdown and travel restrictions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37604/20]
View answerThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) has continued operations to resettle programme refugees nationally during 2020 with the assistance of the HSE and local authorities. At all times guidance has been sought from public health officials to deliver on the Government commitment with appropriate measures implemented to protect the public, refugees and staff.
A temporary suspension of international travel has impacted on the ability of the IRPP to bring programme refugees into the State. Programme refugees who had been selected in Beirut and Amman have until now been unable to travel. However, I am pleased to say that today the first arrivals of programme refugees will arrive into the State for 2020. As previously stated this has only been possible with the assistance of multiple stakeholders and with public health guidance at the forefront of all decisions.
All families will be initially accommodated in quarantine facilities engaged by the International Protection Procurement Service and will have the support of the HSE during their quarantine period.
