Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
113. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his views on the report from an organisation (details supplied) concerning urgent action to address accommodation crisis for persons seeking protection in Ireland. [50330/22]
View answer130. Deputy Gino Kenny asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a report (details supplied) published that states that the Irish protection system is in crisis, that there has been a serious and unprecedented breakdown in Ireland's reception system and that a whole-of-Government response is required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [50635/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 113 and 130 together.
Deputy, I am aware of the Irish Refugee Council’s report. The Government will assess the report and its recommendations once reviewed. I can assure you that the health and wellbeing of all people who avail of accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is of the highest priority.
As you will know, my Department is currently providing accommodation to over 57,000 people - approximately 41,000 displaced Ukrainians and over 16,000 international protection applicants. At this point in 2021, the figure was approximately 7,250.
The availability of accommodation to house international protection applicants remains a very significant challenge. My Department is actively engaged in the sourcing of emergency accommodation to ensure that we can continue to meet our international obligations to those seeking refuge in Ireland. My officials continue to seek accommodation solutions to the increasing numbers of international protection arrivals.
Last week, as part of the 2022 tender process for IPAS own-door accommodation, my Department opened the Finn Accommodation Centre in Ballybofey, Donegal. This facility has over 45 high quality apartments that have been recently renovated. The capacity is 179 people. These apartments has been made available to families seeking international protection in Ireland. The first families have already moved to the centre.
Added to this, 10 new contracts/properties have been identified, subject to contract, which are expected to result in additional bed spaces. This tender was re-advertised on 6 October 2022 with a response deadline of 8 November 2022 in a further effort to increase capacity in the system.
As the Deputy will be aware, as part of the Programme for Government, a commitment was made to deliver a new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants. As part of this process I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service in February 2021.
In the nineteen months since its publication, my Department has made considerable progress in delivering these reforms, including:
- recruitment of a team dedicated to drive the implementation of the new programme,
- establishment of governance structures to oversee transition to the new model - a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee,
- development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’,
- advancement of our Communication Strategy, including a dedicated webpage where members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made, and,
- initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres.
A new integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of international protection applicants, was also launched in August. The fund will be awarded shortly.
I have secured 22m euro in Budget 2023, an increase of 41% on this year's allocation, to move ahead with key reforms envisaged in the White Paper. The increased budget will be focused in particular on enhancing the supports provided to international protection applicants.
I envisage an expanded role for NGOs in the delivery of such supports, particularly to vulnerable applicants.
