Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 July 2017
515. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality his plans to provide a place finders service similar to that provided to programme refugees to residents of direct provision centres who have secured their leave to remain but are unable to secure permanent accommodation due to the rental crisis. [35841/17]
Amharc ar fhreagra516. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will meet with the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government to agree the best way in which to assist those residents of direct provision who have secured their leave to remain but are unable to access permanent housing due to the housing crisis and are effectively using direct provision as a form of emergency accommodation. [35842/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 515 and 516 together.
The Reception and Integration Agency is currently considering the options that are possible to assist residents of direct provision who have leave to remain but who are encountering difficulties in accessing accommodation. I plan to hold meetings imminently with NGOs to see what might be possible. Of course, issues relating to housing fall within the remit of the Department of Housing, Planning Community and Local Government and with each of the local authorities within the State. It is important that we would not duplicate efforts when seeking a solution to this problem.
The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) is working with the Irish Red Cross in relation to accommodation pledges made for persons who relocate from Greece and Italy under the EU schemes. While those pledges were made specifically for the cohort of persons coming from Greece and Italy, it is hoped that a number of clients with leave to remain may be able to avail of some offers. Meetings have also been held with representatives of the churches to see how they might assist.
The Reception and Integration Agency has prepared a booklet 'Your guide to living independently' which offers guidance to all persons in State-provided accommodation centres when they are in receipt of any form of 'leave to remain'. This booklet provides practical information on State services and is also available in several languages on the website of the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) - www.ria.gov.ie. Information sessions on these services were also provided by the Citizens Information Board in situ at centres. In addition to the publication of the booklet, a number of NGOs have been awarded monies under the EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) specifically to provide assistance to move out of State provided accommodation. At the beginning of July 2017, there were approximately 400 persons with some form of status continuing to reside in State provided accommodation.
