Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 27 July 2021
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Asylum Seekers
1214. Deputy Paul Kehoe asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of plans to end direct provision and implement an alternative system that will effectively and humanely process both new applications of asylum and address the backlog of existing cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39804/21]
View answerThank you Deputy for your question.
The implementation of A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service is in its early stages, and much of the progress to date has focused on development of the high-level implementation plan. The Implementation Team for the transition to the new International Protection Support Service is working closely with the Housing Agency who are preparing a number of different advice papers which will inform key decisions relating to accommodation.
In addition, the County and City Management Association (CCMA) are developing an allocation key on behalf of the Local Authorities. This allocation key will serve as a guide as to how many applicants for International Protection will be accommodated in each Local Authority area. Officials in my Department should have this allocation key by the end of the month and can then start to plan how the new accommodation model will operate in more detail. I have met with both the Housing Agency and the CCMA and my Department is actively engaged with them on their proposals.
The first meeting of the Programme Board to oversee the transition to the new International Protection Support Service will hold its inaugural meeting on Thursday 29 July 2021.
