Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 19 May 2016

Committee on Housing and Homelessness

Irish Refugee Council

10:30 am

Mr. Rory O'Neill:

It is about starting to involve the local communities in the integration process when people move out of direct provision so they can move on, providing support services when people are making the transition to negotiate social welfare and access to housing. It is one of the big blocks for people. Those granted refugee status, subsidiary protection or leave to remain should have access to social welfare while in direct provision, as has been mentioned. This is so they can start building some capital and have the ability to move on. The Department of Social Protection or the Reception and Integration Agency should provide information to people when they receive papers on how to negotiate the systems and structures in place and impeding them in accessing housing. All of that would be very beneficial and make a difference.