Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 October 2022
122. Deputy Matt Carthy asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made in relation to implementing the report of the advisory group on the provision of support including accommodation to persons in the international protection process. [50589/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department is responsible for the provision of accommodation to persons in the International Protection process and I will provide an update on the progress made to replace the current system of accommodation and supports. All other matters relating to the implementation of report of the advisory group should be directed to Department of Justice.
Since publishing A White Paper to end Direct Provision and to Establish a new International Protection Support Service in February 2021, my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for the implementation of the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking international protection with over 10,000 arrivals in the first three quarters of 2022 alone. Overall my Department is now accommodating over 50,000 people, compared with 7,000 at this time last year.
In this vastly changed context, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection.
The review is reassessing the assumptions underpinning the White Paper with respect to numbers of arrivals and how this impacts on key deliverables. The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs.
An initial paper with some options and recommendations has been brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback.
Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of reforms is and will continue to be a key priority for the Department.
