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Direct Provision System

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (385)

Ruairí Ó Murchú

Question:

385. Deputy Ruairí Ó Murchú asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the pledges that have yet to be implemented in the white paper on ending direct provision; if he is satisfied with the progress to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12458/22]

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Written answers

The implementation of A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service is progressing as scheduled. The International Protection Support Service (IPSS) Transition Team, have been established in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, and they are focused on delivering the commitments that were outlined in the White Paper 2024.

Governance structures have put in place in the form of a Programme Board which includes representation from the NGO sector and an External Advisory Committee to oversee transition to the new system. The Board has met regularly over the past twelve months to review progress. Further details on the Programme Board and the External Advisory Committee can be found on the new IPSS website at gov.ie/ipss.

In order to secure the accommodation required, intensive cooperation has been underway with key implementation partners such as the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and the Local Authorities to develop the new accommodation model and support services. A detailed implementation plan has been developed which will be further refined over the coming months. 

Planning is advancing on the acquisition of a range of properties for Phase Two accommodation, developing a system of income support for international protection applicants and the integration support system that will apply.   Detailed work has been undertaken on the income support and integration supports that will be provided. 

The implementation of this new model is a very large and complex project. As outlined in the White Paper, the implementation process is scheduled to take place on a phased basis between 2021 – 2024. Considerable progress was made last year in the planning stage of the implementation process and 2022 will see parts of the new model begin to operationalise.

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