Holly Cairns
Question:157. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the process to end the direct provision system. [48683/21]
View answerThursday, 7 October 2021
Questions (157)
Written answers
Earlier this year, I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. Since then my Department has taken a series of steps to implement these reforms.
A staff team has been established in my Department to lead the transition to the new model and has developed a detailed implementation plan.
I have established a Programme Board chaired by my Department and with both Government and independent membership. This Board will provide detailed oversight and advice to the implementation team. It meets monthly, to review and monitor the progress of the reforms.
Working with the Housing Agency, my Department has begun to acquire the accommodation needed for Phase Two - that is, after people have completed their initial four months in a Reception and Integration Centre, and move into the community.
An allocation key to determine the spread of this accommodation across all counties has been agreed by Local Authorities.
In collaboration with the housing experts on the Programme Board, my Department is preparing advice on the optimal ownership model for the accommodation, as well as on the funding model to enable Approved Housing Bodies and other not-for-profit organisations to act as our delivery partners for the accommodation and support elements of the new system.
Policy on the International Protection Support Payments is being developed in consultation with the Department of Social Protection.
My Department has also begun to develop the integration policy for the new model, based on the principle of 'integration from day one' set out in the White Paper.
It will take time to end Direct Provision and replace it with a new and very different system of accommodation and supports - grounded in human rights and delivered on a not-for-profit basis. Our work to do this has begun. We are making good progress and anticipate starting to move people out of Direct Provision into accommodation sourced in accordance with the new model early next year.