John Halligan (Waterford, Independent)
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355. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to help support Syrian refugees. [30958/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Ireland has consistently called for an approach to the Migration crisis which addresses the root causes as well as the humanitarian challenges at the European level. Last September, the Government agreed to accept 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees. We have now resettled 486 refugees under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme established by the Government last year (target is 520 by end 2016). On Relocation, progress has been slow, as is has been for all EU partners. To date, a total of 69 Syrians have come to Ireland from Greece, but it is hoped to increase this to 60-80 people per month soon.

Ireland has provided €62 million in humanitarian assistance to Syria and the region since 2012. Our contribution to the EU Turkey Refugee Facility over the period 2016 – 2019 will be almost €23 million. This fund aims to support Syrians and other refugees in Turkey by providing them with access to food, shelter, education, and healthcare. We will also contribute €3 million to the Emergency Trust Fund for Africa established last year.