Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 January 2022
1077. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views in respect of the €12.5 million capital allocation under the international protection spending heading within the Revised Estimates 2022. [63339/21]
View answerThank you for your question Deputy Daly. As part of the budget process I was delighted that my department was allocated €28m in 2022 for implementation of the new model of accommodation for international protection applicants. This breaks down as €12.5m in capital expenditure and €15.6m in current expenditure.
The implementation of the White Paper is a large and complex project. In order to ensure that it is achieved, a phased approach is being taken. Particular areas of delivery will be prioritised in 2022. There will be a focus on putting in place the building blocks and building capacity for the project so that the full transition to the new model will be achieved by the end of 2024.
Over the past number of months, the Transition Team, established to implement the new model of accommodation, has been working closely with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities on developing the new accommodation model. This work has included putting in place a policy and process for the acquisition of Phase Two accommodation.
The preparatory work has now been completed. The sourcing and acquisition of accommodation in the community has begun and the €12.5m allocated as capital expenditure for 2022 will focus on:
- The acquisition of Phase Two accommodation through a multi-stand approach including turnkey properties and properties that require upgrading/renovations. Part of the current expenditure budget allocated will also be used to roll out a rent room scheme and the sourcing of private tenancies.
- A funding scheme for Approved Housing Bodies so that they can begin to bring properties on stream and to develop a pipeline for Phase Two accommodation.
In addition to the above, the planning process for capital projects including the Reception and Integration Centres and an urban renewal scheme will be initiated. Inevitably, the focus will be on planning and design in 2022 of this part of the new model.
