Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
147. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if, in view of the supports provided to programme refugees resettled here, any comparable model of support is offered to persons granted permission to remain here following relocation from Greece or Italy; and if so, the detail of those supports. [19780/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State by the end of 2017; 2,622 through the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and 1,040 (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017) under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon.
As the Deputy is aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) covers two distinct cohorts - relocation cases from Greece and Italy and resettlement cases from Lebanon - the Deputy's question refers in particular to the former, those arriving from Greece and Italy as relocated asylum seekers.
The comprehensive reply to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 21 February 2017 sets out in detail the nature of the integration programmes available to refugees arriving under the resettlement strand of the IRPP. In relation to the relocation strand of the IRPP, I can inform the Deputy that the integration programmes available to the relocated asylum seekers arriving here will be broadly the same as those for programme refugees, but there may be some small differences arising from the different nature and initial entitlements of this cohort.
As set out in the reply to Parliamentary Question No. 96 of 21 February 2017, work in relation to the arrival of UNHCR programme refugees begins about 9 months in advance of resettlement. With the relocation cohort this period of advance planning is not available because of the circumstances of the relocation group and the process set out in the relocation instruments. Instead the IRPP has about 3 months to plan for the arrival of relocated asylum seekers. When this cohort arrive they do not, as asylum seekers, possess the same rights and entitlements as refugees.
Nonetheless, the IRPP endeavours to the greatest extent possible to treat families and individuals arriving under the relocation programme in a broadly equivalent manner so as to commence the integration process in the quickest possible time scale. The IRPP does this as the likelihood of persons in this cohort achieving a grant of international protection is very high because (a) the selection process embedded in the relocation instruments is predicated on the fact that eligible nationalities must, across the EU, have a 75% or higher chance of obtaining status and (b) the overwhelming majority of persons being relocated to Ireland are fleeing the war in Syria.
In advance of their arrival in Ireland, relocated asylum seekers will have been interviewed while in Greece or Italy by an IRPP team to assess their needs and vulnerabilities prior to arrival in Ireland and to initially orient them to Irish life and society.
Following their arrival in Ireland, and during their initial period of reception, relocated asylum seekers will be accommodated in an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently settled around the country. In the EROC they will receive broadly the same integration services as available to programme refugees with due account being taken of the fact that certain things may not be able to happen until individuals receive a decision on their application for a grant of international protection. This decision is usually forthcoming within twelve weeks. IRPP staff meet individuals and families at regular intervals to help assess their ongoing needs and requirements. The client group also receive an orientation and language training programme while in the EROC. A Friends of the Centre group has been established in Ballaghaderreen, the newest EROC to be opened and, working with the Irish Red Cross, the IRPP is liaising with volunteers to provide additional supports to facilitate residents as they start the long process of integrating into Irish society.
Some of the key features of supports provided to relocated asylum seekers include:
- IRPP staff and interpreters meet families and individuals upon arrival at Dublin Airport and accompany them to their Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre where they are accommodated for approximately six months.
- During the days post arrival the asylum seekers are registered with the Department of Social Protection for a public services card and receive an exceptional needs payment (ENP). - IRPP officials provide assistance to ensure that families and individuals receive a medical card.
- IRPP liaise with the local Education and Training Board in each catchment area to ensure that groups receive a Language Training and Cultural Orientation programme.
- Local Service Providers, volunteers and NGOs visit the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres to provide services, to provide information and to support and befriend the refugees.
- A GP is assigned to the relocated asylum seekers to ensure that their immediate medical needs are met including referral to dental and optical services.
- Childcare is provided free of charge to allow the adults to attend the Language and Orientation programme in their EROC.
- Education provision is made for school age children by the Department of Education and Skills.
- Emergency medical matters are followed up while resident in the EROCs.
- Once the asylum seekers receive refugee status and when housing is available, the refugees will be resettled in the community with the support of the IRPP and volunteers in the local community. Each family will be assigned a resettlement worker to assist with the transition.
In terms of settlement in the community, the overall model to be used will be identical to the model used for programme refugees as will be the suite of integration supports.
In relation to integration, the Deputy may also be aware that the Migrant Integration Strategy, which was published on 7 February 2017, offers a blueprint for the Government's action to promote migrant integration for the period to 2020. It sees integration as a two-way process which involves action by migrants and non-migrants alike. It promotes action by Government, business, employers, migrants, NGOs and local communities. The Strategy requires all Departments to insert integration as a theme in strategy statements, business plans and staff training. It is using networks as a means of encouraging greater participation by migrants in all aspects of Irish life. It includes targeted initiatives to promote migrant entrepreneurship, to encourage migrants into the Civil Service and onto State boards and to improve English language provision in education and training. It is accompanied by a Communities Integration Fund which I launched on 7 February, which will provide funding for community initiatives to promote integration.
The IRPP integration model for relocated asylum seekers will work with existing best practice in this areas as pioneered by the OPMI but is also willing to work organically with community bodies, NGOs and civil society to see what else can be added to the integration model in order to help refugees successfully integrate into Irish society and rebuild their lives. It is my firm intention that the model of integration and support is one which will evolve and develop over the coming twelve months.
