Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 November 2018
83. Deputy Eamon Scanlon asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that enough supports are in place to Roscommon and Leitrim county councils to support asylum seekers in an accommodation centre (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47469/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs part of the overall system of supports provided in all accommodation centres, the Contractor will be required to set up a 'Friends of the Centre' group as recommended by the McMahon report to facilitate linkages between the residents and the local community to encourage integration.
In addition, my Department has granted funding in the order of €43,033 to a number of groups in Roscommon and Leitrim under the Communities Integration fund in 2017 and 2018. In addition, a number of national programmes are funded through the Asylum Migration and Integration Fund that focus on integration measures including funding granted to the Football Association of Ireland, The Immigrant Council of Ireland and the Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland.
With specific regard to both Leitrim and Roscommon County Councils, both local authorities run Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programmes (SICAP). SICAP is co-funded by the Irish Government, through the Department of Rural and Community Development and the European Union's European Social Fund Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning 2014-2020.
My Department will continue to work closely with both local authorities to identify programmes and initiatives to encourage integration measures for the residents of the accommodation centre in Roosky.
The key supports available to residents of the centre will however be provided by Government Departments and agencies rather than by local authorities. My Department is working closely with both the Health Service Executive and the Department of Education and Skills to ensure that the medical and educational needs of the residents in Roosky are addressed.
My Department is committed to working closely with all relevant stakeholders to ensure that residents at the new accommodation centre in Roosky will receive the appropriate supports to meet their needs.
