Since publishing A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service, my department has placed a significant focus and drive on delivering these reforms.
Implementation of the White Paper began with the appointment of dedicated staff – a ‘Transition Team’ – in this department to lead the transition to the new system.
Governance structures were established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Group.
A high-level implementation Plan was drafted and completed setting out how the provisions contained in the White Paper would be introduced. The plan looked to prioritise and pilot certain elements of the model in 2022 in order to build capacity for the project.
Much progress was made and priority was placed on progressing elements of Phase Two including the development of the accommodation in the community model, the acquisition of properties, the development of the income support payment, the development of the local Integration model, all with a view to commencing the movement of IPAS residents into Phase Two accommodation towards the end of 2022.
The war in Ukraine however has had an unavoidable impact on the timelines and deliverables for the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 15,000 new people seeking accommodation in 2022.
It is not clear if the increase in International Protection arrivals is a once-off impact due to the pent up demand after Covid and the impact of the war in Ukraine or is a trend that will continue through-out 2023 and beyond. This increase in numbers has huge implications for the implementation of the White Paper as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year, which is based on 20 years of data.
In this vastly changed context since the publication of the White Paper, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that is reassessing the projections underpinning the White Paper with respect to numbers of arrivals and how this impacts on key deliverables and timelines.
The review is also considering whether it is preferable to prioritise the implementation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context and build must needed accommodation capacity in the system. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper. 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 including assessing the requirement for An Agency.
I anticipate the review to be completed early in quarter two with a new set of proposals and timelines to be then brought to government.
While the review is ongoing certain aspects of the White Paper are progressing. This includes:
- The ongoing development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. Negotiations are currently ongoing with the CCMA and the LGMA to put in place a permanent model of Integration Support Workers in each Local Authority.
- The delivery of some Approved Housing Body managed and supported accommodation for vulnerable applicants. In 2022, 37 Phase Two properties were purchased. It is planned that some International Protection applicants will start moving into these properties in the first half of 2023.
- A focus on increasing the state accommodation owned capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing progress on the construction of purpose built centres.
- Development of a dedicated information hub and online orientation programme including language supports;
- A funding framework for 2023 for Children and Young People Services Committee (CYPSC) to further develop, enhance and expand the provision of their support services to families in the International Protection system.
- Commissioning NGOs to provide targeted supports.
While the delivery of the White Paper has been impacted by the war in Ukraine, the implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As I have, highlighted work is progressing in key areas, that I believe will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in International Protection accommodation.
