Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 June 2016
104. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the office for the promotion of migrant integration within her Department still operates; the work it has carried out in the past two years; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [17333/16]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI) in my Department continues to have responsibility for promoting the integration of migrants into Irish society. Details of its activities are to be found on its website www.integration.ie.
OPMI chairs a Cross-Departmental Group which is tasked with preparing a Draft Migrant Integration Strategy, having engaged in a public consultation process which involved key stakeholders including relevant NGOs. This work is very advanced and I expect the strategy to be published in the Autumn.
In addition, Ireland is one of 27 States that participate in a refugee resettlement programme led by the United Nations Commissioner for Refugees (UNCHR). OPMI is the Irish Government Office which manages this process. In recent years, the focus of the work of this Office has been on the resettlement of persons displaced by the Syrian conflict who are living in one of the hosting countries in the region, for example those living in Lebanon, Jordan or Turkey. In 2015, the Office resettled 176 refugees from Jordan and Lebanon. To date in 2016, 110 refugees have been resettled from Lebanon. A further 247 refugees were selected during a selection mission to Lebanon in January 2016. These cases have now been security screened and are in the process of being health screened at present. They are expected to arrive in Ireland between July and September 2016. Staff of OPMI have participated in selection missions to Lebanon in March and July 2015 and again in January 2016 to facilitate this process.
OPMI also oversees national and European funding for the promotion of integration. In 2014, 2015 and from January to May 2016, around €3.1 million in grants has been paid, including grants for resettlement and an European Social Fund measure to improve the employment prospects of immigrants. Preparations have been made for a call for applications under this measure which will take place in early September and for a call in respect of the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund which will take place at the same time.
OPMI also participates in EU and international fora relevant to its responsibilities including the EU National Contact points on Integration (now called the European Migration Forum) and the Forum on Resettlement and Relocation.
