Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 21 October 2021
247. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the breakdown of the measures that will be supported by the allocation of €28 million in Budget 2022 to implement reforms set out in the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51868/21]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for her question. €28m has been allocated to DCEDIY in 2022 for implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for international protection applicants which was outlined in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service. This breaks down as €12.5m in capital expenditure and €15.6m in current expenditure. With this allocation the Transition Team that has been established within my Department to implement the new model will be focused on achieving the following:
- Beginning the transition of international protection applicants out of International Protection Accommodation Services (IPAS) accommodation and into accommodation in the community;
- Acquisition of accommodation in the community through a multi-strand approach including through Approved Housing Bodies and a Rent a Room Scheme;
- Beginning the provision of funding to local authorities to coordinate integration at the local level;
- Beginning the commissioning of NGOs to provide supports, particularly for vulnerable applicants;
- Beginning the roll-out of integration supports at a local level, including income supports and childcare;
- The roll-out of a community integration fund which will support community integration initiatives and deliver benefits for local communities;
- The roll-out of employment outreach supports.
