Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 January 2021
652. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the status of implementing each of the recommendations of the report of the advisory group on the provision of support, including accommodation, to persons in the international protection process relevant to her Department; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4519/21]
View answerI am committed to ensuring that my Department plays its part in supporting the implementation of the recommendations of the Advisory Group on the Provision of Support including Accommodation to Persons in the International Protection Process that are within my remit, as far as possible and appropriate, and to work collaboratively with other Departments where relevant.
My Department is already progressing actions to deliver on many of the recommendations. A high level Programme Board, chaired by the Deputy Secretary General, has been established in my Department to oversee and drive forward the implementation of recommendations that relate to my Department and the agencies under its aegis, as appropriate. In addition, an Implementation Working Group of senior officials from the responsible areas is tasked with working together to support the implementation of actions and to plan for their delivery. This group is meeting on a weekly basis and detailed consideration of each of the recommendations is still ongoing. This includes considering actions to achieve more efficient timelines in processing and deciding applications, and legislation that may be required to support such changes.
In line with the Advisory Group’s recommendations, my Department is committed to achieving a reduction in processing times for both first instance decisions and appeals to 6 months each respectively as far as possible.
Significant progress has already been made in relation to some of the recommendations. For example, additional ICT resources have been secured for 2021 and detailed work including an end-to-end review of processes to guide enhanced processing times is underway. When this first phase of work has been carried out it will enable a more detailed set of milestones to be put in place.
To date, the Ministerial Decision Unit has been relocated to the International Protection Office enabling streamlining of work processes and the IPAT has been designated as a body authorised to hold remote hearings. In addition, in October 2020 the Government approved, following a review by my Department, a reduction in the waiting period for access to the labour market from 9 months to 6 months and an increase in the validity period of a labour market access permission from 6 months to 12 months. Work on the relevant legislative changes is at an advanced stage with a view to introducing the proposed changes shortly and I expect to make a further announcement in relation to this soon.
Notwithstanding the progress being made on implementing the recommendations set out above there are certain current constraints and challenges for my Department in delivering some of the recommendations of the Advisory Group given the impact of COVID on current operations.
My colleague the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth is responsible for progressing recommendations related to accommodation and related services for international protection applicants.
