Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

71. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if refugees who come here as a convention applicant will be provided with the same supports that are afforded to programme refugees, specifically in terms of key worker, financial and housing supports; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [24344/17]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, programme refugees who arrive in the State under the UNHCR-led Resettlement programme have already received a Refugee Status Determination (RSD) by way of the UNHCR assessment process and, as such, they have full refugee status on their arrival in Ireland. In contrast, persons who arrive at the frontiers of the State to make an application for international protection are in the protection process and are yet to have their status determined. Until such time, their permission to remain in the State is linked only to the duration of that determination process.

Programme refugees are a particularly vulnerable cohort and it is appropriate that they receive a range of targeted supports on arrival to aid their recovery, to assist them in adjusting to life in a new country and to prepare them for independent living.

Approximately 1,723 vulnerable persons from 27 different countries, including Iraq and Syria, have been admitted as 'programme refugees' for resettlement purposes under our national resettlement programme since it was established in 2000.

Persons who arrive in the State and make an application for international protection are offered full bed and board in State provided accommodation while their applications are being processed. Supports for those in State provided accommodation include the provision of all meals, no utility charges (gas, electricity, TV, etc), free laundry facilities, crèche facilities in the larger centres, free access to primary and post primary education, additional resources for schools with special needs in the area of English language, full access to the public health service, medical cards, a designated psychological service, Exceptional Needs Payments (made at the discretion of the Community Welfare Service), Back to School clothing and footwear allowance and other Community Welfare Payments. When an applicant for International Protection is successful in their application they are granted refugee status and are entitled to access the same State services, included right to work, etc, as programme refugees.