Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Since the publication of the White Paper to end direct provision, my Department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for international protection.

This has included the recruitment of a team dedicated to drive the implementation of the new programme; the establishment of governance structures in the form of a programme board and an external advisory committee; the development of an integration programme to support the principle of integration from day one; and the development a policy for the income support payment that applicants will receive in phase 2 and the launch in February of a dedicated website with updates on the progress in implementing the White Paper.

A new integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of international protection applicants, is also currently in development and will be launched in the coming weeks.

However, as Deputies will appreciate, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for implementation of the White Paper. Staff in my Department were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland's obligations, including members of the White Paper transition team. Upwards of 39,000 Ukrainian refugees have sought protection in Ireland under the temporary protection directive. As I stated earlier, my Department is currently providing accommodation to 28,000 of those.

A review of the projected timelines for the implementation of the White Paper is currently under way among senior officials in my Department and the International Protection Support Service transition team. This is a complex exercise. It will take account of the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the crisis in Ukraine and the significant increase in the number of international protection applicants.

In the coming weeks, I will be in a position to provide an update on the review's outcomes. However, it is currently planned that the transition team will move ahead to operationalise parts of the new system in late 2022. Key elements of the White Paper process, including strengthening supports at local level and involving NGOs more fully in the delivery of services, have become even more important as the number of new international protection applicants increases.

Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis and the increase in international protection, IP, applicants, the implementation of the new model will continue to be a key priority for me and for my Department.

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