Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 March 2024
192. Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth whether it is intended to provide dedicated integration funding to an area (details supplied) in view of the large number of people seeking international protection living in the area and the proposal to locate further refugees there and the disadvantaged nature of the area based on the Pobal Index; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11171/24]
View answerWith respect to integration and funding, I am pleased to inform the Deputy that a new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of four-person Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by DCEDIY, to be located in each local authority, to better help IP applicants engage with existing local services.
The teams will provide supports to International Protection (IP) applicants, Programme Refugees and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). This includes funding for one Integration Support Coordinator, two Integration Support Workers and one Administrative support. Recruitment for the LAITs is being undertaken by individual Local Authorities and Galway City Council now has their team fully in place.
Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated by the Department to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation. Adopting a multiagency, multidisciplinary approach, these practitioners will provide a standardised pathway for family support within each of the 17 Tusla areas. Supports will vary depending on the needs of each individual family but may consist of delivering individualised parenting programmes and family support clinics or facilitating the integration of families by building connections with Family Resource Centres in the locality.
My Department administers a number of funding streams addressing integration.
In the last two years €2.8m has been made available through the International Protection Integration Fund to community-based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, provincial or local level. A further €1.5m will be provided in 2024 and the application process for this year's fund is currently open and closing on the 6th March 2024. Information on the fund and access to apply can be found at www.gov.ie/en/press-release/58b8b-minister-of-state-joe-obrien-invites-applications-to-the-international-protection-integration-fund-2024/.
A new funding stream was introduced in 2023 for the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) to support them in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to families in IPAS accommodation. In 2023, over €1.3m was awarded for a range of initiatives including projects aimed at Community Integration, Supports for Parents, Emergency Accommodation and Mental Health. This funding stream has been committed to again in 2024 and a call for proposals was launched in January.
The purpose of the National Integration Fund (NIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants at a national or regional level. Approximately €750,000 is committed per year, subject to the availability of funds. This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and projects rolled out over a maximum of three years. Projects must take an inclusive approach, aiming to bring migrants and host communities together.
Under Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2021-2027, Ireland will build on the work done of the previous AMIF 2014-2020, and improve its effectiveness where possible. The programme will also support elements of state-run programmes, both at national and local level, which provide integration measures tailored to the needs of third-country nationals. A Call for Proposals from organisations planning projects to support the reception and integration of Third Country Nationals in Ireland was launched in October 2023.
The Integration and Employment of Migrants (IEM) stream under the European Social Fund Plus is aimed at legally resident migrants who are experiencing barriers to participation and employment because of language difficulties, lack of training, or social exclusion.
