International Protection

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 10 March 2022

Thursday, 10 March 2022

Ceisteanna (332)

Michael Creed

Ceist:

332. Deputy Michael Creed asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to enhance the community sponsorship scheme as a means of involving the public and local communities to help deal with the anticipated numbers of Ukrainian nationals seeking international protection in the coming weeks; the way that persons who are willing to assist under the scheme or in other ways can register their offers of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13659/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

As you may know, Deputy, Community Sponsorship has been developed by the Irish government in collaboration with non-governmental partners such as the Irish Red Cross, Irish Refugee Council, Nasc, Amnesty International and Doras Luimni. 

The purpose of the programme is to enable communities to welcome refugees to Ireland and to ensure that communities are supported as they enable refugees to find sanctuary here and integrate into Irish life.

During the arrival of Afghan refugees in 2021 a less formalised version of this programme was adapted to support groups wishing to welcome Afghan arrivals in an emergency situation where time did not allow a full training programme to take place.

I can confirm that similar innovative approaches will be taken to assist refugees arriving from Ukraine and the communities who wish to welcome them.