Eoin Ó Broin (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)
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73. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, Community and Local Government the contacts he has had with the Minster for Justice and Equality, relevant Department officials and local authority housing managers to discuss the difficulties faced by the 500 people who are currently in direct provision despite having refugee status; and if he will consider providing these persons with additional supports to help them find housing. [35453/16]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the issue of direct provision is a matter for my colleague, the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality. My Department has, however, been working closely with that Department on housing issues arising in the context of refugees. An operational sub-group under the auspices of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme Taskforce, composed of all relevant Departments of State and other bodies, such as representatives of local authorities and the Irish Red Cross, is currently being established to support the process of housing these refugees. This sub-group will be co-chaired by my Department and the Department of Justice and Equality.

Arrangements are being advanced at local authority level to support the housing of these refugees, including through the Housing Assistance Payment Scheme (HAP), and a range of other supports to facilitate the integration of individuals into their new communities.