First of all, I would like to assure you that the health and well-being of all people who avail of accommodation provided by this Department is of the highest priority to myself and my officials.All persons accommodated by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) are provided with fully catered or independent living accommodation and the same IPAS supports whether they have a PPSN or not. Any queries relating to the allocation of PPSNs should be directed to the Department of Social Protection. My officials have engaged with the Department of Social Protection on the matter of early issue of PPSNs to international protection applicants.
While staff were temporarily diverted to respond to the needs of Ukrainian Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection, the International Protection Support Service (IPPS) transition team has now resumed its work to implement the White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service.
Governance structures have been established to oversee transition to the new model. These structures include a Programme Board, a Risk Committee and an External Advisory Committee. The Programme Board has met on seven occasions to date and will meet again later this week.
My Department has worked with the Housing Agency to develop detailed policy advice papers, including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. The ownership model was approved in January 2022, and work is now ongoing to develop a funding model for approved housing bodies. The Housing Agency has made good progress to date in sourcing and acquiring properties for Phase Two accommodation. This work, to source and acquire properties, will continue for the remainder of 2022.
The County and City Management Association (CCMA) has developed and approved a Local Authority allocation key. This allows for a distribution of applicants across the country according to population criteria. Work is ongoing to develop the integration structures at a local level. This will support applicants once they move into Phase Two accommodation in the community. I have indicated to the City and County Management Association that funding will be provided, starting this year, for the recruitment of integration support workers for this purpose.
Work is continuing on the launch of an integration fund shortly. This will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of international protection applicants.
Finally, a communication strategy is being developed. This includes the launch of a dedicated webpage, which went live in February 2022. This webpage allow all members of the public to find updates on the progress being made in implementing the White Paper.
