Robert Troy (Longford-Westmeath, Fianna Fail)
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300. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to ensure that refugees who come to Ireland will be integrated into the communities in which they are sent; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2320/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The Deputy will be aware that the Government took a decision to establish the Irish Refugee Protection Programme on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the EU migrant crisis. Ireland has agreed to accept approximately 4,000 persons in total under resettlement and relocation programmes by the end of 2017. The figure of 4,000 includes approximately 2,600 persons to be taken in from migration hotspots in Italy and Greece under the new EU programme and 520 programme refugees from Lebanon and Jordan, which the Irish Government has committed to taking in by the end of 2016 under Ireland's Refugee Resettlement programme. The mechanism by which the balance of the 4,000 will be taken in, has yet to be decided by Government.

Among the measures agreed under the programme was the establishment of a network of Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres which will be used to provide emergency accommodation and meet the basic needs of the 4,000 people who are expected to arrive over the next two years. Also among the measures announced was the establishment of a cross-Departmental Taskforce, chaired by my Department, to coordinate and implement the logistical and operational aspects associated with the Irish Refugee Protection Programme. This will include the provision of emergency accommodation and orientation services in the first instance, and facilitating the longer term integration needs of those with refugee status through the provision of a sustainable housing strategy, health services, education, social welfare, and social inclusion activities.

With specific regard to refugees arriving under resettlement schemes, one hundred and seventy six refugees arrived in the State under the resettlement programme in 2015. Post arrival, the 'programme' refugees participate in a language training and orientation programme for approximately 8-10 weeks before being moved into permanent accommodation in the community. The resettlement team of the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration convenes and supports a local interagency working group which operates for approximately 18 months after the transfer of the refugees to the receiving community. Grants are made to the receiving community for the establishment of homework clubs, links with sporting and other clubs and the employment of a local resettlement person to support the refugees during their first year in the community.

A similar integration strategy is being developed within the Department of Justice and Equality for the estimated 2,600 persons relocating to Ireland from migration hotspots in Italy and Greece, once they receive refugee status.