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Refugee Resettlement Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 3 February 2021

Wednesday, 3 February 2021

Questions (495)

Cian O'Callaghan

Question:

495. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is honouring commitments made on the number of Syrian refugees to be resettled here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5675/21]

View answer

Written answers

I wish to assure the Deputy that the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in my Department continues to work towards achieving the 2019 Government pledge to welcome up to 2,900 refugees between 2020 and 2023.

Unfortunately, Covid-19 and its related restrictions has interrupted the resettlement of refugees across the globe. 

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme conducted a selection mission in Beirut in March 2020. That mission, although cut short due to Covid-19 restrictions, resulted in the arrival of 198 Syrian refugees to this country late last year.  A further cohort of 17 Syrian refugees, selected from a 2019 mission, arrived from Jordan at that time.

The Deputy will recall that Ireland also committed, in 2020, to welcome 50 persons and 14 unaccompanied minors following the fire in the camp on the Greek island of Moria, and work has been underway over the last number of months to facilitate the soonest possible transfer of those persons to Ireland.

While there is much uncertainty due to Covid-19, I can confirm that my Department is actively engaging with the relevant national and international stakeholders with a view to fulfilling Ireland's pledges, in the interest of international solidarity in global refugee protection.

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