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Migrant Integration

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 October 2020

Tuesday, 20 October 2020

Ceisteanna (459, 460)

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

459. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the extent to which integration services are operational in all areas nationally; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31660/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Bernard Durkan

Ceist:

460. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Children, Disability, Equality and Integration the number of persons interacting with integration services by region; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31661/20]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

I propose to take Questions Nos. 459 and 460 together.

The Government is committed to the development and nurturing of an all-inclusive society in Ireland. We are in the process of implementing a number of key strategies which are helping to promote inclusion and diversity across Irish society. The Migrant Integration Strategy 2017 – 2020 is one such strategy.

The Migrant Integration Strategy runs until the end of 2020 and targets all migrants who are legally in the State. It contains 76 actions which are delivered by Government Departments, local authorities, local communities, the business sector, sporting and arts organisations and NGOs across a number of policy areas relevant to the integration of migrants, including employment; education and social inclusion. It also addresses racism and xenophobia, representing a whole-of-Government approach.

There are a number of funding streams available to support the integration of migrants.

- My Department administers a National Funding Programme to promote the Integration of migrants, which has 15 projects located throughout Ireland. Grants totalling almost €2 million (€1,987,890) are spread over three years to support the implementation of these projects. A call for applications under the National Integration Fund 2020 was launched on 11 August 2020 with funding of almost €2.2 million available over a three year period. The Fund will support communities to promote the integration of migrants and their children into Irish society and selected projects will help to combat racism and xenophobia. The closing date for applications under this fund was 22 September 2020 and applications are now being assessed.

- In addition, the Communities Integration Fund support local initiatives. There were 125 successful applications from 25 counties who received grants of up to €5,000 under the 2019 Fund. Applications for the 2020 Communities Integration Fund have been assessed and 114 projects have been successful. The 2020 Fund also has total funding of €500,000 available for these projects.

- The Funds Administration Unit of my Department administers larger grants and those for multi-annual projects using funding from European sources, including the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The 2019 AMIF allocation provided funding of €4,487,919 to 19 projects - 4 of which operate nationwide. There are also 4 operating in Dublin, 2 in Cork, and 1 each in Monaghan, Kildare, Meath,1 in Kildare, 1 in Meath, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Waterford, Mayo and Kerry.

- The 2019 European Social Fund (ESF) allocation provided funding of €3,288,498 to 5 projects. Two of the projects operate nationwide and the others were located in Dublin, Meath and Kilkenny.

The number of persons interacting with these services is not currently available to my Department.

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