Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent)
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873. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth what the staffing complement of the new community engagement team in his Department will be; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40662/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Under the Statutory Instrument, Recast Reception Conditions Directive (SI 230 of 2018), the Government is legally required to provide accommodation to international protection applicants who seek it. In addition, all EU Member States agreed the Temporary Protection Directive, offering expedited stay, accommodation and work status for those fleeing the war in Ukraine.

Ireland is currently providing 23,425 people seeking international protection with state-sourced accommodation and support services. Since February 2022, Ireland is also providing accommodation to 71,040 people who have fled the war in Ukraine, resulting in over 94,465people in state-provided or pledged accommodation in Ireland, and that number continues to increase.

The Departments of the Taoiseach; Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) and Rural and Community Development have come together with agencies and Local Authority colleagues to develop a new community engagement model. Its aim is to assist with better communication regarding migration in general and, in particular, regarding the opening of new accommodation centres for those seeking refuge in Ireland.

A Community Engagement Team has been established within DCEDIY. This team is working with colleagues across Government, local government and the community and voluntary sectors, assisting with certain openings of accommodation centres, where possible.

Within DCEDIY, Eibhlin Byrne is leading this process as the National Lead for Civic Engagement. She is supported by Brendan Kenny, (formerly with Dublin City Council) and John Twomey (former Assistant Commissioner, An Garda Síochána).

Eibhlin and her panel will be assisted by an administrative team consisting of four civil servants (two full time and two part-time), of which two have been seconded from the Departments of Education and Rural and Community Development.

In addition to this, Community Response Fora have been set up in every local authority to coordinate community-led assistance available. Work is also ongoing at local authority level to establish integration teams in each local authority to provide support to those seeking international protection.