Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
737. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase resettlement places for Afghan refugees and provide additional support and assistance for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and participate in the wider EU redistribution. [42794/21]
View answer738. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commit to resettle a minimum of 1,000 Afghan refugees. [42795/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 738 together.
I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the Government responded to the crisis in Afghanistan by announcing the provision of approximately 300 places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) for those most at risk in Afghanistan, including those working on human rights issues and on the rights of women and girls and minorities specifically, as well as those working with NGOs and international organisations and media.
This decision will be kept under review as the situation evolves.
There are capacity and resourcing issues for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme which my Department will also keep under review.
