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Housing Provision

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 23 November 2021

Tuesday, 23 November 2021

Ceisteanna (442)

Michael Healy-Rae

Ceist:

442. Deputy Michael Healy-Rae asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the way housing will be provided for asylum seekers (details supplied) given the housing crisis; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57098/21]

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Freagraí scríofa

Thank you for your question Deputy. It is incorrect to state that "it is the hope of this Government to give every asylum seeker in this country a home of their own after 6 months of being in direct provision".

As outlined in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service , applicants for international protection will be provided with suitable State-owned accommodation situated within local communities across the country following an initial period of four months in a Reception and Integration Centre.

Once the applicant receives a decision on their application, they will then move on from this community accommodation. Those who receive International Protection status will be entitled to live and work on the same basis as all other Irish residents, and it is hoped that the new system will result in a much greater degree of independence for those who do gain status here.

In response to the Deputy's question to "confirm where these houses are going to come from when we have such a housing crisis in this country", I hope the Deputy will find the following information helpful:

In order to provide the new accommodation, the White Paper proposes a multi-strand approach to housing applicants.

- Accommodation Provided by Approved Housing Bodies or other Not-for-Profit Housing Bodies

- Urban Renewal Schemes

- Hosting in the Community, including Rent a Room schemes

- Private Tenancies

My Department will be assisted in the sourcing and delivering of this accommodation by the Housing Agency, which has unique knowledge and understanding of housing in Ireland and works with a range of stakeholders involved in the sector across the country. The new model will provide more accommodation capacity into Ireland's overall housing stock through its new build and urban renewal options.

By pursuing a multi-strand approach with the support of the Housing Agency, I am confident that we will be able to meet the objectives laid out in the White Paper, which will put family life, autonomy and privacy at the core of the new international protection system.

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