Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 1 to 7, inclusive, together.

The Cabinet committee on migration, integration and Ukraine was established on 9 April to oversee the development and delivery of a whole-of-government response to the system of international and temporary protection for those arriving in Ireland from abroad, including international and domestic policy options, accommodation and other supports, integration, community engagement and public communications. This committee is assisted by the senior officials group, which is chaired by the Department of the Taoiseach. Through this mechanism, all Departments and agencies, as well as local government, are working to co-ordinate the State's response. The first meeting of the Cabinet committee, which I chair, took place on Thursday, 2 May. The Cabinet committee is scheduled to meet again this week, on Thursday, 23 May. I also chaired meetings specific to Mount Street and international protection accommodation on 25 April and 9 May respectively.

Since February 2022, more than 142,000 people from Ukraine and international protection applicants have come to Ireland seeking protection. On 14 May, Government agreed a number of measures to respond to the growing number of people seeking protection in Ireland. Beneficiaries of temporary protection from Ukraine in State-provided serviced accommodation should receive the same level of payment regardless of when they arrived. This work is being advanced by the Ministers for Social Protection and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The entitlements of international protection applicants will be reviewed within six weeks. There will be targeted workplace inspections in sectors or firms where there is an increased risk or reports of non-compliance with the range of employment and workplace requirements and permit regulations. The Minister for Justice will further review the safe countries list, visa-free travel and airline fines. The Minister will then report to Government on the outcome of these reviews. State-owned locations for tented accommodation will be utilised in advance of the medium-term strategy commencing.

The Government is also making every effort to improve the international protection process and has introduced an accelerated process for particular categories of applicants, including those from safe countries. We are working to accommodate people seeking shelter against a backdrop of unprecedented demand. However, the situation remains deeply challenging, particularly as the available supply of accommodation for international protection applicants has very seriously diminished. In addition to the actions across Government to alleviate immediate pressures, work is also underway to develop a more sustainable State response when it comes to migration.

See this speech in context