Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 7 November 2023
1036. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to outline the extent to which the integration programmes available through his Department continue to be of direct assistance to the relevant cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [48137/23]
View answerDear Deputy,My Department in collaboration with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) have developed a new local integration model. The Department is providing funding to each Local Authority to establish a Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT). The primary role of the LAITs is to provide ongoing integration supports to IP applicants, Programme Refugees and BOTP to enable them to live independently in the community. The LAITs are not intended to replace mainstream service provision but to support IP applicants, Programme Refugees and BOTP in accessing mainstream services.
In addition, my Department administers a number of funding streams addressing integration.
The National Integration Fund (NIF) has the goal of supporting communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants is open to organisations operating at regional and national level. The NIF themes of enhancing employment opportunities for migrants, with a focus on language acquisition; promoting representation of migrants in politics; and encouraging migrant participation in sport, volunteering and cultural activities. Approximately €750,000 is committed per year, subject to the availability of funds. The minimum annual grant amount that can be applied for will be €25,000, and grants may range up to €200,000 over the lifetime of the project. Applications have just closed for the 2023 version of the fund.
The Communities Integration Fund (CIF) has been in place since 2017 and arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy which states: “A Communities Integration Fund will be developed to support actions by local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees”. Grant funding of €1,000 to €5,000 is mad available for local integration initiatives. Since its inception, the CIF has supported over 820 projects, with grant funding totalling €3.82 million. CIF 2023 awarded 111 organisations once off grant payments, with a total value of €509,415.
My department launched the Ireland Against Racism Fund (IARF) in 2023. IARF in its first year, has made €1.3 million available to applicant groups operating at national, regional and local level. IARF has the overall objective of providing funding for national and regional projects, as well as local initiatives, that aim to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion. There are two streams of funding;
- Scheme A provides grants, ranging from €50,000 to €100,000, to organisations for national and regional projects.
Scheme B provides grants, ranging from €5,000 to €10,000, to organisations for local projects.
The results of the 2023 funding call were issued in September. A combined total of 24 national & regional projects were successful.
The International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) has a goal to support communities across Ireland so they can play a greater role in promoting the integration of International Protection applicants. Annually, a total starting at €500,000 is made available to community-based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, provincial or local level. Grants ranging from €5,000 to €20,000 are made available to successful organisations. This year 70 projects have been awarded €1,200,776 in funding. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, schools and cultural organisations. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.
The International Decade for People of African Descent (IDPAD) Funding Call was a once off funding call held this year to provide funding to support community organisations hosting local, regional and national events to mark and celebrate the Decade. The IDPAD has been planned by the Department in celebration of the ‘International Decade for People of African Descent’, effective through 2015-2024 under resolution 68/237 of the UN General Assembly.
The Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) . Funds Administration Unit of DCEDIY is the Managing Authority of the AMIF Programme in Ireland, for the 2021-2027 Programme period, having fulfilled a similar role for the previous 2014-2020 AMIF Programme. Under Ireland’s national programme, it is intended to provide a range of supports for International Protection applicants, Programme Refugees, Beneficiaries Of Temporary Protection and other third country nationals arriving in Ireland, ranging from information and assistance with basic needs through to specialist supports in areas such as medical/psychosocial and legal assistance; to delegate and oversee activities via Direct Awards to specialised bodies; and to fund the management of returns of third country nationals to their country of origin, where appropriate.
Funds Administration Unit manages the Integration and Employment of Migrants stream of the European Social Fund Plus 2021-2027 Programme (DFHERIS is that Programme’s Managing Authority). This Activity is aimed at legally resident migrants who are experiencing barriers to participation and employment because of language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion. The Activity proposes to increase the levels of employability of the participants.
