Léim ar aghaidh chuig an bpríomhábhar
Gnáthamharc

Refugee Resettlement Programme

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 24 April 2018

Tuesday, 24 April 2018

Ceisteanna (262)

Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire

Ceist:

262. Deputy Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the measures he has taken to avoid further underspending of EU integration funding; if he has acted on advice from the EU Commission to strengthen Ireland's administration of the funds and make use of available technical assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17391/18]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

My Department avails of funding under the European Social Fund (ESF) and the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) to fund activities to support the integration of migrants who have come to Ireland.

In 2016 the EU Funds Unit was established, within the Asylum Services, Integration and Equality Division of my Department, to ensure, in cooperation with all the agencies and organisations involved, that all the necessary requirements are fulfilled to draw down the maximum amount of available funding, including technical assistance, from the European Union, having regard to the specificities of the different EU Funds.

In September 2016, the EU Funds Unit issued Open Calls for Proposals for projects suitable for funding under the ESF and the AMIF and as a result of those Open Calls €7.5 million in funding was made available for a three year period to 25 projects to support the reception, integration and employment of migrants. It is envisaged that an additional €4.5 million in funding will be available for an Open Call which will issue later this year in respect funding for a further three year period. EU funds are also directed towards supporting recently arrived refugees through the Irish Refugee Resettlement Programme.

In addition to the activities supported by EU Funds my Department has also granted €1.9 million to 15 projects from the National Funding Programme to support integration activities and a further €500,000 to 131 local community projects under the Communities Integration Fund which is currently open again for proposals - the closing date for receipt of applications for these grants is 3 May 2018.

Barr
Roinn