Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 24 March 2022
18. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth further to Parliamentary Question No. 199 of 3 February 2022, if his Department has liaised with the Department of Health and the HSE in the development of the new accommodation model and wrap around services with regard to the needs of disabled asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15324/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra24. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will report on the ongoing work to dismantle the direct provision system in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13368/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra32. Deputy Christopher O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress made to date on implementation of the White Paper to End Direct Provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15304/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra33. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the process to end the direct provision system. [15451/22]
Amharc ar fhreagra62. Deputy Martin Browne asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he foresees any change in the implementation of the White Paper on ending Direct Provision in view of the Ukrainian crisis. [15104/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 18, 24, 32, 33 and 62 together.
As the Deputies will aware I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service on the 26th of February 2021. In the twelve months since its publication my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants and the project is progressing as scheduled.
A new dedicated team has been established in my department to drive implementation of the new model. This Transition Team is working closely with key Departments and Agencies including the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the Housing Agency and Local Authorities to develop the new accommodation model and support services for applicants.
Governance structures have put in place in the form of a Programme Board which includes representation from the NGO sector and an External Advisory Committee to oversee transition to the new system. The Board has met regularly over the past twelve months to review progress. As part of the Programme Board governance framework it has appointed a Risk Committee to oversee the management of risks.
A detailed implementation plan has been developed. This plan sets out the approach that will be taken to ensure that the new system of International Protection is in place by 2024. The Transition Team has also engaged with other key stakeholders who have a responsibility for delivering services to International Protection applicants. Each stakeholder has been asked to provide input to the implementation plan setting out their deliverables and timelines.
DCEDIY has also engaged directly with the Department Health and the HSE on the resource and service implications of the new model for the health service. I am happy to say a representative from the HSE has recently joined the Programme Board which will support the process of ensuring the health service requirements of new model are addressed.
As set out in the White Paper the specific needs of applicants with disabilities is a focus of the new model. From the vulnerability assessment process that will be rolled out, specific pathways will be developed including ensuring access to the required medical services. The Transition Team will be engaging closely with the Department of Health and the HSE over the coming weeks and months to progress all aspects of the new model including the specific needs of applicants with disabilities.
Significant progress has been made to put in place the new accommodation model. This has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding scheme for Approved Housing bodies (AHBS). The funding scheme is scheduled to be launched in early quarter two and will support AHBs to start building a pipeline of Phase Two accommodation. Planning is also well advanced on the acquisition of a range of properties for Phase Two accommodation in the community.
Work is also moving ahead on developing the system of income support that applicants will receive when moving into Phase Two accommodation. A policy paper has been developed and work is now proceeding to design the operational structures for the payment.
The Transition Team is also developing an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. In collaboration with the Local Authorities there has been a focus on designing the supports that will be required at a local level. The proposal is to expand the current model of interagency working groups and resettlement and intercultural workers that is in place for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.
The aim is to establish a permanent integration system at local level that will provide support both to programme refugees and to applicants for international protection. A draft of the local Integration Model is currently under discussion with the Local Authorities and work will continue over the coming weeks to finalise it.
I am also delighted to say that a new webpage has been launched on the gov.ie platform to allow the public to follow implementation of the White Paper. This webpage will be updated regularly with information and reports on the progress of transitioning to the new model of accommodation for International Protection applicants.
As you will appreciate the focus of the first year has been on developing the policies underpinning the new model, undertaking the planning necessary for implementation and focusing on the acquisition of Phase Two accommodation.
The remainder of 2022 will be particularly complex as it involves the operationalisation of new systems for income and integration supports. Notwithstanding this, my department is aiming to begin to transition International Protection applicants to Phase Two accommodation in 2022 if the income and integration supports are in place this year.
The large number of Ukrainian refugees that have arrived and are projected to arrive over the next months may potentially absorb some of the available capacity that was intended for this project. It may reduce the amount of accommodation, civil service staffing resources and NGO capacity available in the short term.
Notwithstanding this, the Transition Team however will continue to move ahead with implementing the new model and as mentioned aim to have applicants moving into Phase Two accommodation this year. The implementation of the new model will continue to be a key priority for my department.
