Denis Naughten (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Fine Gael)
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Question 212: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans for funding of integration projects in 2008; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15838/08]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, an amount of over €9.2M was allocated to the Office of the Minister for Integration in the Estimates. I will shortly publish a policy statement on the integration of immigrants which will include a future strategy for funding in the integration area. A special emphasis will be placed on funding membership organisations, faith-based groups and building local structures. I expect to allocate around €3M for these areas in 2008.

The Deputy may also be aware that existing integration funding commitments are ongoing throughout 2008. In terms of European funding, €1.2M is available from the European Refugee Fund and a further €1.6M from the European Fund for the integration of Third Country Nationals. Applications for these Funds have been submitted and are currently being evaluated. A total of €250,000 has been committed so far under the European Social Fund in 2008 for employment-related initiatives for vulnerable immigrants. A further sum of around €1.8M has been committed in 2008 by me to other integration-related projects which have been ongoing since 2007. Finally, my Office also provides €500,000 for a small grants scheme to support community and voluntary efforts at a local level.