Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Ireland and many other European countries continue to experience a significant increase in people seeking international protection. The arrival numbers remain significantly elevated. In the first 23 weeks of 2024, more than 9,000 people arrived in Ireland seeking accommodation from the State, an average of 394 people per week.

This is more than five times the average for the period 2017 to 2019. Government is working to ensure an integrated approach to communications and community engagement and to deepen the understanding of all aspects of migration in the Irish context. Communicating with local communities and the public at large requires a series of multifaceted approaches. I understand a national communications plan is being developed and led by the Department of an Taoiseach. My Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has responsibility for community engagement. As the Deputy will be aware, a community engagement team has been established to engage directly with elected representatives, relevant local authorities, local development companies, and other entities and individuals. The purpose of the team is to improve the flow of information regarding arrivals into areas and to help equip local communities with the accurate information required to help them understand the current situation and to assist with the welcome and integration process for new arrivals. This team has been operating since October 2023. It consists of a national lead on civic engagement, two additional team members to support the on-the-ground engagement and a small administrative team.

The CET is activated for openings which need additional support. The openings which the team support can also be selected if requested by a public representative or a local community leader and when it is deemed appropriate. It is acknowledged that different sites will have different requirements, and this approach, while offering a standard process for engagement and communication, can be adapted depending on specific circumstances. To date, the CET has issued 79 detailed briefing notes to stakeholders and has actively engaged on 52 open or proposed accommodation centres. The work of the CET is supported by a whole-of-government approach, engaging with sectors and providers nationally and locally to respond to some of issues raised by local communities.

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