Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021
768. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of persons currently residing in direct provision centres in the State who have qualified for refugee status but continue to reside in direct provision centres. [42348/21]
View answer769. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the supports or assistance programmes, services or phonelines available to persons who have qualified for refugee status to help them move out of direct provision centres. [42349/21]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 768 and 769 together.
International Protection applicants who have been granted an International Protection status (refugee status or subsidiary protection status) or granted a permission to remain, have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals. As of the end of August 2021, there were 1,185 persons who have been granted status and currently reside in accommodation centres provided by my Department.
Significant work is undertaken to support these residents in moving out of accommodation centres and into secure accommodation in the community. My Department has a specific team in the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) who work in collaboration with a number of stakeholders to collectively support residents with status, or a permission to remain, to access housing options.
Stakeholders include; Depaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMVT), the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the City and County Managers Association.
All residents who are successful with their application to the Minister for Justice for a protection status or a permission to remain, are notified by letter by IPAS of the supports available to them and of the contact details of their support workers. These services are funded by my Department. Contact details for housing support workers are also posted in each accommodation centre and are readily available from the centre managers.
On a continuous basis a number of clinics (which provide information on housing options) are held for persons with a form of status. The clinics are held in accommodation centres with both IPAS staff and Depaul/PMVT support workers.
While the supports mentioned here are made available to all residents who have been granted a status, it is always open to them and any other residents to make their own arrangements for accommodation at any time, if they so wish, and many do so.
