Michael Kennedy (Dublin North, Fianna Fail)
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Question 524: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the measures being taken in large towns like Balbriggan where incoming, new and longer term residents are experiencing difficulties with integration; if an action plan exists to tackle any related problems; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5149/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The delivery of services to incoming, new and longer term residents is the primary responsibility of the appropriate Government agencies at both central and local level. Responsibility for the coordination and development of integration policy rests with the Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan TD. The mandate of the Minster does, however, extend to promoting, encouraging and facilitating the development of mainstream services and to providing seed — funding for short term targeted measures where appropriate. In relation to achieving broad integration objectives, I understand that the Minister is currently finalising proposals which seek to mobilise not only existing service providers but also a broad spectrum of civil society, including membership organisations.

In this general context, service providers continue to respond to integration challenges. For example, the Department of Education and Science has established a new unit to focus on the school accommodation needs of rapidly- developing areas, and City and County Development Boards are addressing the integration issues through their work in coordinating activities at a local level. In relation to the specific area mentioned by the Deputy, a model of good practice is the Balbriggan initiative that brings together the Departments of Education and Science and Social and Family Affairs to provide language training for non-Irish students to promote access to employment. As you are aware, the Minister will be setting up a Task force on Integration this year to identify the key issues affecting immigrant communities. The Task force will consult widely with both the immigrant and indigenous populations, visit communities, examine previous research and report back with specific recommendations on the way forward. In parallel with this broad consultative approach, plans will continue to be developed to ensure that immediate integration priorities are addressed.