Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 6 and 7 together.

On 14 October 2020, the Government approved the transfer of functions which has moved responsibility for international protection accommodation, integration and equality to my colleague, the Minister with responsibility for children, equality, disability, integration and youth, with effect from that date. The transfer of functions, therefore, has already taken place. I should clarify, however, that issues such as access to education, public services and employment were not the direct responsibility of my Department before the transfer of functions and they are not the responsibility of my Department following the transfer of functions.

Issues relating to access can be taken up with the Department or agency which has responsibility for providing the service. Of course, a whole-of-government approach is warranted to address the needs of diverse groups and to ensure their equal participation in Irish society. As the Deputy will also be aware, there is a migrant integration strategy in place. Responsibility for this has transferred to the new Department and its implementation will continue to be an absolute priority for my colleague, the Minister with responsibility for children, equality, disability, integration and youth, Deputy O'Gorman, in his new remit in that Department.

Access to these services on the same basis as EEA nationals can be achieved through acquiring Irish citizenship. A minor or young person who has been in the State for five years and who otherwise satisfies the criteria of the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Act 1956 can apply for citizenship through the naturalisation process.

The Government is committed to creating new pathways for long-term undocumented people and their dependants who meet specified criteria to regularise their status within 18 months of the formation of the Government, bearing in mind European Union and common travel area commitments. This commitment was made in the programme for Government and I intend to follow through on it as Minister. The Government is acutely aware that a number of Irish people face similar challenges abroad and we all know people who are living in the same circumstances in America or other countries and have not been able to go home to see family or friends. This is something we are actively trying to progress outside Ireland as well. I am sympathetic to the circumstances of people who, through no fault of their own, can find themselves in an undocumented position here in Ireland. I am glad to inform the Deputy that the necessary work on this process, in line with the Government commitment, is under way in my Department. This will include an assessment of international best practice and previous regularisation schemes, such as the 2018 student scheme and earlier such schemes, will also be considered in any future policy decisions. I am open to exploring all legal solutions to the issue of children and young people who have grown up here in circumstances where they or their family are undocumented.

My Department has ongoing engagement on this matter with the Migrant Rights Centre Ireland, MRCI, and other NGOs. I welcome the publication last week of the Live Here, Work Here, Belong Here survey by the MRCI of over 1,000 people who are undocumented. What is most striking in the survey is that these people want the same things, including the same access to the same rights, the same ability to educate themselves and their families, to be able to work and to have a sense of security in the country in which many of them have been living for many years. Through this piece of work, their insights will help provide valuable input into my Department’s policy formulation. I look forward to continued engagement with the MRCI and other organisations over the coming months as my officials and I work to deliver the programme for Government commitment.

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