Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

95. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the progress of the commitment to accept more refugees from the Syrian conflict; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8274/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy will be aware, the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) was established by Government Decision on 10 September 2015 as a direct response to the humanitarian crisis that developed in Southern Europe as a consequence of mass migration from areas of conflict in the Middle East and Africa. Under this programme, the Government has pledged to accept a total of 4,000 persons into the State, 2,622 through the EU relocation mechanism established by two EU Council Decisions in 2015 to assist Italy and Greece, and 1,040 (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017) under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme currently focussed on resettling refugees from Lebanon.

In a further gesture of humanitarian assistance towards the most vulnerable caught up in the migration crisis and following a debate in the Dáil, the Government also committed to taking up to 200 unaccompanied minors from France who were previously resident in the migrant camp at Calais. These initiatives therefore leave just a small residual balance to be allocated from the Government decision to take 4,000 persons.

Resettlement strand of the programme

Taking account of the situation in the Middle East, and the plight of the refugees, the Tánaiste announced that Ireland would accept 520 persons for resettlement over an 18-month period to the end of 2017. This was almost double the figure proposed for Ireland by the European Commission and was delivered a year ahead of the Commission deadline.

In addition, the Government recently announced that it is extending the resettlement programme to take in a further 520 refugees from Lebanon in 2017, most of whom are of Syrian origin. 260 refugees have already been selected during a selection mission to Lebanon in October 2016 and are expected to arrive in Spring 2017. Most of these refugees are also Syrian. A further selection mission to Lebanon will be arranged in the coming months to select the remaining refugees due to come to Ireland in 2017 under the resettlement programme.

Relocation strand of the programme

Despite initial delays outside of Ireland's control in respect of the operation of the 'hotspots' on the ground in Greece, Ireland has to date taken in a total of 320 people from Greece under relocation, another 78 people have been formally accepted and are awaiting transport arrangements, and a further 155 have been assessed and are awaiting clearance. A monthly schedule has been agreed with the Greek authorities which will sustain the pace of intakes throughout 2017 at the levels required to allow Ireland to meets its commitments to Greece within the time frame envisaged by the Programme.

As regards Italy, the relocation mechanism from Italy has yet to commence for many countries, including Ireland, due to issues with the Italian authorities surrounding the security assessment of migrants assigned to other Member States. Intensive efforts are ongoing to resolve this, both bilaterally with Italian counterparts at official, diplomatic and Ministerial level, and at EU level, including through the European Commission.

The total target for relocation to Ireland in the Council Decisions also includes a further 910 persons but the country of origin for this cohort has not yet been assigned at EU level.

The following table sets out the position regarding the assignment of the 4,000.

Table of Total Numbers under Government Decision

Unaccompanied minors

In announcing the IRPP, the Government recognised the importance of prioritising family groups and addressing the position of unaccompanied children. A significant number of those who have arrived to date are young children with one or two parents. Ireland has taken in four unaccompanied minors with another to follow very shortly; we have indicated our willingness to take further unaccompanied minors from Greece under relocation and work continues in this regard. Such minors are placed in the care of Tusla. Unaccompanied minors that Ireland takes from Greece are additional to the commitments made by Ireland in respect those previously resident in the migrant camp in Calais.

In summary, under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme 519 refugees have arrived in Ireland under resettlement and 320 persons have arrived in Ireland under relocation. I wish to confirm to the Deputy the deep commitment of the Government to delivering on its decision to accept 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers, notwithstanding the difficulties that have been encountered so far which have been outside of Ireland's control.

Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

96. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if she will outline the integration programme for refugees arriving here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [8287/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

The Deputy may be aware that an Irish refugee resettlement programme has been in operation since 2000. 1,723 vulnerable persons from 27 different countries, including Iraq and Syria, have been admitted as "programme refugees" for resettlement purposes under this programme. 519 persons were admitted between August 2015 and December 2016 and a further 520 persons are expected to arrive during the course of 2017.

The Government set up the Irish Refugee Protection Programme in 2015 to coordinate the admission of up to 4,000 persons under resettlement and relocation programmes. Refugees admitted under the resettlement programme have been resettled in 39 different communities throughout Ireland and in all four Dublin local authority areas to date. In the coming months, persons admitted under the relocation programme and who have been granted refugee status, subsidiary protection or permission to remain will begin the process of resettlement into local communities. Preparatory work is ongoing in this regard.

Resettlement has been ongoing in Ireland since 2000 when the first refugees were admitted under the resettlement quota programme. Over the years, programmes have been developed to support refugees, known as "programme refugees", post arrival to assist refugees to adjust and to prepare for independent living. A separate programme, building on the work started during the Reception phase, begins in local receiving communities approximately nine months before the refugees move into the local community.

The Resettlement Programme is coordinated at the national level by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI), Department of Justice and Equality, and is overseen by an Inter-Departmental Working Group which has representation from mainstream Government Departments, the HSE, and SOLAS. This Inter-Departmental Working Group at a national level is a key driver of the resettlement programme.

Key elements of the post arrival programme are:

- Staff from the OPMI Resettlement Team, accompanied by interpreters, meet the refugees airside on arrival and accompany them to an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre where they are accommodated for approximately 8 to 12 weeks.

- During the days post arrival the refugees are registered with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) where they are issued with a Registration Certificate.

- Refugees are registered with the Department of Social Protection for a public services card and to be assessed for a social protection income.

- Refugees are assisted to apply for a medical card.

- An 8 to 10 week Language Training and Cultural Orientation programme is provided by the Education and Training Board. During this programme, refugees hear about their rights and responsibilities. They have time to ask questions, build confidence and rest. Speakers are invited from various organisations to provide information about their services. Interpretation is provided to ensure a full understanding of the content on the part of the refugees.

- Local Service Providers, volunteers and NGOs visit the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres to provide services, to provide information and to support and befriend the refugees.

- The period of 8 -10 weeks allows newly arrived refugees to rest and acclimatise to their new environment and culture before being moved to independent living in the community.

- A GP is assigned and refugees have the opportunity to deal with their emergency medical needs. Adults and children who may not have had access to medical services for some time are referred for Dental and Optical assessments.

- Interpreter/Translator/Cross Cultural workers are currently being interviewed to work in the EROCs to facilitate better understanding between service providers and the refugee clients to promote better outcomes for the refugees.

- Childcare is provided free of charge to allow the adults to attend the Language and Orientation programme.

- Education provision is made for school age children by the Department of Education and Skills.

- Refugees are individually assisted to apply for a medical card.

- Emergency medical matters are followed up while resident in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres.

- Once the refugees have completed their post arrival Orientation and Language Training programme, and when housing is available, the refugees are transferred to the Local Community with the support of the resettlement team from the OPMI and supported at a local level by service providers and volunteers in the local community.

The Language and Orientation Training that began while resident in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre continues post resettlement in the community.

Key elements of the resettlement programme in the Community are:

- The programme is coordinated at local level by a Resettlement Inter-agency Working Group comprising of representatives of all local mainstream Service Providers which is established in each receiving community. The local Inter-agency Working Group is chaired by the Local Authority and supported by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration.

- Work in preparation for the arrival of refugees begins nine months in advance of resettlement.

- Services to refugees are provided on the basis of mainstream model of service provision, while recognising that targeted initiatives may be required during the first year post resettlement as the newly arrived refugees adapt to independent living, a new language and culture.

- Each Service Provider representative on the Inter-Agency Working Group plays a role in the preparation for receiving the refugees.

- GPs, school placement, housing, social protection income and English language training, links with the local NGOs and the Community and Voluntary sector are organised, in so far as possible, in advance of the refugees' arrival in the community.

- Programme refugees admitted for resettlement purposes have, in general, the same rights and entitlements as an Irish citizen in relation e.g. to employment, education and training, medical care, social welfare, access to the courts etc.

- OPMI provides interpretation where required and assists in the resolution of issues arising during the first two weeks post arrival.

- OPMI provides funding to employ a Resettlement Support Worker who works closely with the refugee community to help them to resolve issues arising thus building capacity towards independent living. The Resettlement Support Worker provides day to day support, identifies gaps in services and issues arising relating to accessing services, and brings these to the attention of the Service Provider.

- Language training is provided in the receiving community by the Education and Training Board for a period of 12 months post arrival. Where a person has adequate levels of English, that person is placed in mainstream courses by the Education and Training Board. The person may also be referred to the Department of Social Protection for inclusion in their activation programmes.

- Childcare is provided under mainstream Childcare schemes funded by the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. This facilitates participation by adults in language and other training programmes.

- Children are placed in local schools. Funding is provided through OPMI grants to organise after-schools clubs and to encourage children to participate in school outings, sporting and other activities at a local level.

- Funding is provided by the OPMI to support engagement by adults in local events and activities such as promoting participation in men's shed, women's groups, involvement in the arts and sporting activities, organising intercultural events promoting participation in volunteering at a local level.

- Local NGOs and the Community and Voluntary Sector work in cooperation with the local Resettlement Support Worker to include newly arrived refugees in local activities.

- Local volunteers are encouraged and facilitated to engage with newly arrived refugees at a local level. Funding is provided to encourage outings and visits to local attractions and other activities organised by volunteers, subject to appropriate Garda vetting.

- Adults and children are encouraged to participate in local sporting activities and funding is provided to support this where appropriate.

- All resettled refugees have the contact details of their key OPMI Resettlement Officer should any issues arise that cannot be resolved locally.

It is intended that similar programmes will be put in place for persons relocated from Greece and/or Italy under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and work is ongoing in this regard.