Written Answers Nos 97-107
97. Deputy Dessie Ellis asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the statutory and voluntary agencies which are responsible to him for the resettlement of refugees; the practices and procedures in place to resettle such persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13428/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10th 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 had pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State. The bulk of these persons were intended to be UNHCR programme refugees from Lebanon and asylum seekers in Greece arriving in Ireland from Greece and Italy under the EU relocation mechanism. However, the latter mechanism did not deliver the numbers envisaged and the Government has chosen to fill the gap by making additional pledges for programme refugees and through a new Family Humanitarian Admission Programme (FRHAP) scheme.
The implementation of the IRPP for resettling Syrian refugees requires a high level of coordination among service delivery agencies at both national and local level. Service provision is mainstreamed and all the main statutory service providers such as Government departments, the HSE and Tusla are represented on the national Taskforce which oversees delivery of the programme. In general, coordination is ensured via the IRPP secretariat which is part of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI) within my Department. OPMI are the primary entity responsible for delivering resettlement via a range of statutory and non-statutory agencies. They have overseen the humanitarian resettlement programmes run by Ireland since they were established in 2000. The Reception and Integration Agency, working closely with OPMI, is also responsible for contracting accommodation in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres.
The International Protection Office based within the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) also play a prominent role in this area as they independently determine applications for international protection that are made by asylum seekers arriving in Ireland through the EU relocation mechanism. Staff of that office also serve as liaison officers in Greece and Italy, as required, working closely with national authorities and international organisations based in those states and providing orientation services on resettlement missions in Greece. Staff of the OPMI also work on temporary assignments overseas in Greece and Lebanon to interview applicants for resettlement together with members of an Garda Síochána and other state agencies as required.
In general, I have responsibility for agencies falling within my own Department but as the resettlement process is mainstreamed other Ministers and other actors also have specific responsibilities, both statutory and non-statutory.
My Department is mobilising European Union Funding under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in support of Ireland's resettlement efforts. Local Authorities play a critical role in ensuring the success of each resettlement through the implementation of a process carried out by an "implementing partner" with expertise in community integration and relevant supports, supported by funding provided through OPMI and AMIF.
My Department also works closely with the Irish Red Cross, who alongside UNHCR, are represented on the national IRPP Taskforce and who are one of our key partners. The Government assigned the Irish Red Cross responsibility for administering public pledges of support, especially in the area of accommodation, and their case workers and support team work closely with IRPP and refugees to find suitable accommodation options. IRPP has a memorandum of understanding with the Red Cross in relation to their role.
In terms of practices and procedures, I set out below in general terms some of the key practices and procedures that are relevant to persons arriving under the Programme that are delivered by a range of bodies working to deliver the programme:
- Programme refugees and asylum seekers eligible under the IRPP are interviewed abroad by Department officials to assess their needs and vulnerabilities and to initially orient them to Irish life and society. Members of an Garda Síochána also accompany those mission and interview applicants from a security perspective.
- IRPP staff and interpreters meet families and individuals upon arrival and accompany them to their initial accommodation 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 EROCs both cohorts receive broadly the same integration services 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. IRPP staff hold regular clinics in the EROCs, often at weekly intervals, at which individuals and families may discuss their needs and requirements. The client group also receive an orientation and language training programme while in the EROC.
- During the days following arrival in Ireland, and after initial assessment and registration with the IPO, the asylum seekers arriving under relocation are registered with the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection for a public services card and receive an exceptional needs payment (ENP). They are also assisted with registration with INIS.
- IRPP officials provide assistance to ensure that families and individuals receive a medical card.
- IRPP liaise with the Department of Education and Skills and the local Education and Training Board in each catchment area to ensure that groups receive a Language Training and Cultural Orientation programme and to facilitate access to education. Education provision is ensured for school age children by the Department of Education and Skills and Tusla where appropriate.
- Local Service Providers, volunteers and NGOs visit the EROCs to provide services and information and to support and befriend the asylum seekers or refugees.
- A GP is assigned to the individuals and families to ensure that their immediate medical needs are met including referral to dental and optical services.
- Free Childcare is provided wherever possible to allow the adults to attend the Language and Orientation programme in their EROC.
- Emergency medical matters are followed up while resident in the EROCs.
- When housing is made available with the support of the Local Authority, the refugees will be resettled in the community with the support of the IRPP and volunteers in the local community. Each family has the support of an assigned IRPP resettlement worker to assist with the transition along with the support of a full-time Resettlement Support Worker and an Intercultural Support Worker employed by the implementing partner under the auspices of the local authority. Local authorities also receive some funding to provide for certain exceptional needs such counselling, transport and other supports.
- When housing or accommodation is made available in an area through the Red Cross they provide an appropriate level of support to the refugees or, if possible, the refugees may be transitioned into the support programme run by the "implementing partner" under the auspices of the local authority if this opportunity exists in the relevant area.
The IRPP integration model uses the existing best practice model in this area as pioneered by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI) for refugee resettlement but it is also sufficiently flexible to work organically with community bodies, NGOs and civil society to see what else can be added to the integration model in order to assist and facilitate refugees.
It is my firm intention that the model of integration and support is one which will evolve and develop over the coming months and years with a view to offering refugees increasing opportunities to enhance their own lives and it is for this reason I am examining initiatives such as community sponsorship to support the long-term integration process.
98. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the Acts under which city and county sheriffs derive their powers of seizure or repossession; and his plans to codify those powers in single legislation. [13440/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI wish to advise the Deputy that the Enforcement of Court Orders Act 1926 sets out the functions and powers of the Sheriff. Section 12 of the Court Officers Act 1945 relates to the appointment of the Sheriff.
I should add that section 133 of the Land and Conveyancing Law Reform Act 2009 abolished the sheriff’s powers to seize a tenancy under a writ of fieri facias or other process of execution except in relation to a tenancy of land that is used wholly or partly for the purpose of carrying on a business.
I wish to advise the Deputy that while I have no plans at present to consolidate the powers I will be keeping the matter under review.
100. Deputy Joan Burton asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if a decision has been taken on the location of the new court in north County Kildare; if there is a timeframe for its delivery; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13471/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy is aware, under the provisions of the Courts Service Act 1998 management of the courts, including the provision of accommodation for court sittings, is the responsibility of the Courts Service, which is independent in exercising its functions.
However, in order to be of assistance to the Deputy, I have had enquiries made and the Courts Service has advised that it is currently concentrating on the development or refurbishment of courthouses at provincial city/county town venues. As part of a major Public Private Partnership initiative underway at present new courthouses have been delivered at Drogheda, Letterkenny, Wexford and Limerick since June 2017 and 3 more are due to be delivered at Waterford, Cork and Mullingar over the coming weeks and months.
The Courts Service has further advised that on completion of this major programme of work there are 5 provincial city/county town venues still in need of major investment in court facilities, these being Tralee, Galway, Wicklow, Portlaoise and Roscommon. The Courts Service has confirmed that collectively these cities and towns will be the next priority for investment in courthouse facilities outside of the capital under the Courts Service provincial capital building programme. The Courts Service is also considering the development of Courts facilities in other smaller locations.
The Courts Service has informed me that Kilcock Courthouse in north County Kildare was closed in July 2016 on health and safety grounds and that District Court sittings transferred to Naas where they have been held since. The Courts Service has also informed me that it plans to review the future delivery of court services in the District Court area of Kilcock in the near future and that this will include a local consultation process.
103. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the procurement document for Garda youth diversion projects stipulates a provision for a transfer of undertakings from existing service providers to the recontracted service providers (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13493/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware my Department is obliged to carry out a Call for Proposals process during 2018 in relation to the provision of Garda Youth Diversion Project (GYDP) services, to fully comply with requirements related to the co-funding of projects by the European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
I can assure the Deputy that the new approach to GYDP provision which is being developed in preparation for the Call for Proposals will not reduce the level of service that already exists, or the importance of community involvement in its delivery. On the contrary, the intention is to build on, update and improve a very valuable service so that it is available to every child or young person in the country who requires it. This improvement to the service will have benefits for significant numbers of young people in the State who cannot currently access GYDP services. While certain aspects of the new service model have been determined, work is ongoing to complete the full details to be included in the Call for Proposals, which is expected to issue later this year. I am convinced that community ownership and participation of the projects is an essential dimension that must be preserved and strengthened in the working out of this process.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department is committed to ensuring continuity of service for participants on GYDPs and to maintaining a community driven approach to their operation, as well as minimising any disruption for workers and service providers. In this regard, I am advised that the Call for Proposals process will facilitate existing service providers forming consortiums which could apply to provide services under the new GYDP model. In addition, and in line with the overall objective of providing GYDP services to all children and young persons who require them, I am advised that the Call for Proposals will require applicants to provide for continuity of GYDP services.
Careful consideration is being given to all issues raised by stakeholders involved in GYDPs as part of a wide-ranging consultation process, which is currently ongoing. This process includes arrangements for an extensive series of meetings with community based organisations and project workers which will facilitate closer communication and exchange of information in relation to these matters. The consultation process will help to inform further development of the Call for Proposals in advance of it being issued.
As indicated above, the Call for Proposals will require applicants to provide for continuity of GYDP services to current participants. It is of course a matter for organisations which apply to provide future GYDP services under the Call for Proposals to ensure that they comply with relevant legal responsibilities, including in relation to the European Communities (Protection of Employees on Transfer of Undertakings) Regulations 2003 (S.I. No. 131/2003).
In conclusion, I might add that while my Department does provide funding, through the Irish Youth Justice Service, for the operation of over 100 Garda Youth Diversion Projects, it is not the employer of the youth justice workers on these projects and has no human resources or industrial relations function in this regard.
106. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to introduce a scheme similar to the enterprise stabilisation fund that was introduced in 2009 to assist businesses facing difficulties due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13511/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Department has undertaken significant research and consultation to better understand the challenges posed by Brexit for businesses in Ireland, and based on this work has designed a suite of supports for impacted businesses. I will shortly launch a €300 million Brexit Loan Scheme. This scheme is designed to assist eligible businesses exposed to negative impacts resulting from Brexit in adjusting, changing, or adapting to mitigate these effects. The finance offered under the scheme will be easier to access, more competitively priced, and at more favourable terms than current offerings.
A Technical Working Group on State Aid comprising representatives from DG Competition, DBEI, EI and DAFM was established in November 2018. The objective of the Group is to scope and design schemes to support enterprises impacted by Brexit in line with current applicable State Aid rules. Should issues arise that require an approach that does not fit within the existing State Aid rules, this will be raised as part of the Working Group discussions.
A notified Rescue and Restructuring (R&R) scheme was approved by the Commission in late November 2017. This scheme has been put in place as it is considered prudent to have contingency measures in place so that we can respond swiftly to changing circumstances as necessary. Under the scheme, which will run until 2020, Enterprise Ireland can provide restructuring support to SMEs in severe financial difficulties.
As part of the deliberations of the Working Group on State Aid, it was agreed that my officials should extend the R&R scheme to include temporary restructuring support for those SMEs who experience acute liquidity needs. This extension, which has been pre-notified to the Commission, will be a welcome addition to our suite of supports for businesses impacted by Brexit.
107. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Business, Enterprise and Innovation the schemes and funding that are available to assist small and medium-sized enterprises which face particular difficulties due to Brexit; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [13512/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Brexit Loan Scheme announced during Budget 2018 will be launched shortly. The scheme will be delivered by the Strategic Banking Corporation of Ireland (SBCI) through finance providers to get much needed working capital into Irish businesses.
The €300 million fund for the scheme is underpinned by a counter-guarantee from the European Commission and EIB Group through its InnovFin Loan Guarantee Scheme. Under the terms of the InnovFin scheme, the Brexit Loan Scheme provides support for businesses to innovate or adapt their businesses to weather the period of uncertainty around Brexit.
The scheme will be open to eligible businesses of up to 499 employees that can demonstrate that they are significantly exposed to the impact (or potential impact) of Brexit. They must be a viable business, doing business in Ireland, have a business development strategy and meet the scheme criteria. The scheme will be open both to State Agency clients and those businesses that do not have any relationship with State Agencies.
Further, my department is exploring the development of a new Business Finance Advisory Hub. This hub will assist SMEs in making informed funding and investment decisions. The advisory hub will serve to ensure that SMEs are well informed of their funding and financing options, and will strengthen their financial planning skills.
My officials are also working with the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine, the Department of Finance, the SBCI and EI in examining policy proposals for a new longer-term Business Investment Loan Scheme to support businesses to invest strategically for a post-Brexit environment.
