Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
610. Deputy Neasa Hourigan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to publish the process to determine the number of applicants to be assigned to each county as outlined in a whitepaper (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34782/23]
View answerIn February 2021 my Department published the White Paper to End Direct Provision. The White Paper contained three core themes – accommodation, integration and supports.
Since the lifting of the Covid-19 restrictions, more than 15,000 people have come to Ireland seeking International Protection. At the same time, more than 84,000 people have fled from Ukraine, the vast majority of whom have required accommodation from the State.
In this context, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions on which the White Paper was based need to be re-examined as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year. A review of the timelines and deliverables is underway including a reassessment of new arrivals numbers. It is anticipated the review will be completed shortly and a new set of proposals and timelines will be brought to Government in the coming weeks. The issue of the number of persons potentially located in different counties will be considered at a later date.
