Ms Sophie Magennis:

I will ask my colleague, Mr. Jody Clarke, to speak a little about the reception arrangements in the local authorities, as he has been out to see some of the most recent intake and how they are getting on in local communities. I will address the components of the programme. There is a very comprehensive reception arrangements programme in place, so resettled refugees would well in advance of arriving have information about Ireland and meet Irish officials. They would be provided with information about the society, rights and entitlements and the Department of Justice and Equality officials undertake much work at a local level with local authorities, GPs, schools and local religious institutions and sporting groups. That is to try to prepare the ground for their integration. Mr. Clarke will speak about how people are getting on in those different communities.

With regard to the cost question, resettled refugees generally receive mainstream supports. The local authorities try to ensure that when refugees arrive in communities, they are linked to schools and have access to a medical card, local GP services and schools. There would be a cost attached to it but it is difficult to quantify as it relates to mainstream support. There is some funding provided by European institutions, including a new asylum, migration and integration fund, known as AMIF. We understand the Irish authorities will bring forward a call for proposals, and I hope that will be in the coming months.

A certain amount of money is made available under that programme. It is normally approximately €5,000 to €10,000 per person brought in under the programme but that is a very small sum. We appreciate that, because of the quality of the Irish programme, more is invested in people when they arrive. We feel it is an important humanitarian contribution to make. There is something important about the State investing in people resettled in Ireland in addition to providing overseas resettlement aid. Our experience has been that resettled refugees make an important contribution to society. Mr. Jody Clarke might say a word or two about how people are getting on in the local communities.