Written answers

Tuesday, 6 October 2015

Department of Environment, Community and Local Government

Refugee Protection Programme

Photo of Éamon Ó CuívÉamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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701. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government the procedure for housing the agreed number of refugees; the agreed terms; the tax incentives for landlords with suitable properties; if the names and contact details of the relevant officials to be contacted will be provided; and his views on the matter, with particular information for prospective landlords. [34734/15]

Photo of Alan KellyAlan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government has established a Task Force on the Irish Refugee Protection Programme, chaired by my colleague the Minister for Justice and Equality. My Department and local authorities are members of the Task Force and are working with other Government Departments and Agencies to ensure that the Programme is managed and delivered efficiently and effectively.

In the first instance, it will be necessary to ensure that the incoming Refugees, under the Programme, are re-located to Ireland, processed and accommodated upon arrival. The Department of Justice and Equality and the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner will take the lead in the process of relocating persons to Ireland, the refugee assessment process and the establishment of Emergency Relocation and Orientation Centres.

The role of local authorities, in terms of housing, will involve providing social housing for persons granted refugee status and the work of the Task Force in this area will be led by local authorities working with my Department and other key State agencies. Local authorities have a suite of housing delivery options under capital and current housing programmes and these and other potential solutions are being examined in the context of delivering longer-term housing solutions for persons granted refugee status.

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