Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Solidarity)
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32. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the supports for persons here as part of the Irish refugee protection programme; if he has had engagement with these refugees to improve the level of support; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44221/17]

David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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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 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, 1,040 programme refugees (519 by the end of 2016 and the remainder in 2017 and early 2018) under the UNHCR-led refugee resettlement programme (currently focused on resettling refugees from Lebanon) with the balance arriving through a variety of mechanisms. A recent commitment was made to take in a further 345 programme refugees in 2018 and the possibility of a further pledge is being examined.

The IRPP endeavours to the greatest extent possible to treat families and individuals in a broadly equivalent manner so as to commence the integration process in the quickest possible time scale. The IRPP does this as the likelihood of persons in the relocation cohort achieving a grant of international protection is very high because: (a) the selection process embedded in the relocation instruments is predicated on the fact that eligible nationalities must, across the EU, have a 75% or higher chance of obtaining status and (b) the overwhelming majority of persons being relocated to Ireland are fleeing the war in Syria and obtain refugee status.

Before they arrive in Ireland, programme refugees and asylum seekers are interviewed abroad by Department officials to assess their needs and vulnerabilities and to initially orient them to Irish life and society. Following their arrival in Ireland, and during their initial period of reception, they are accommodated in an Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC). As the name suggests, an EROC is largely about reception and orientation for those who are to be subsequently settled around the country. In the EROCs both cohorts receive broadly the same integration services with due account being taken of the fact that certain things may not be able to happen until individuals receive a decision on their application for a grant of international protection. IRPP staff hold regular clinics in the EROCs, often at weekly intervals, at which individuals and families may discuss their needs and requirements. The client group also receive an orientation and language training programme while in the EROC.

Some of the key features of supports provided to persons under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme include:

- IRPP staff and interpreters, along with representatives of the Irish Red Cross, meet families and individuals upon arrival at Dublin Airport and accompany them to their accommodation in the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre.

- During the days following arrival in Ireland the asylum seekers are registered with the Department of Social Protection for a public services card and receive an exceptional needs payment (ENP).

- IRPP officials provide assistance to ensure that families and individuals receive a medical card.

- IRPP liaise with the local Education and Training Board in each catchment area to ensure that groups receive a Language Training and Cultural Orientation programme.

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

- A GP is assigned to the individuals and families to ensure that that their immediate medical needs are met including referral to dental and optical services.

- Free Childcare is provided wherever possible to allow the adults to attend the Language and Orientation programme in their EROC.

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

- Emergency medical matters are followed up while resident in the EROCs.

- Once the asylum seekers receive refugee status and when housing is made available with the support of the Local Authority, the refugees will be resettled in the community with the support of the IRPP and volunteers in the local community. Each family has the support of an assigned IRPP resettlement worker to assist with the transition along with the support of a full-time Resettlement Support Worker and an Intercultural Support Worker. Local authorities also receive funding to provide counselling, transport and other supports.

The IRPP integration model for relocated asylum seekers will work with existing best practice in this area as pioneered by the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration (OPMI) but is also willing to work organically with community bodies, NGOs and civil society to see what else can be added to the integration model in order to help refugees

It is my firm intention that the model of integration and support is one which will evolve and develop over the coming months and years with a view to offering refugees increasing opportunities to enhance their own lives and it is for this reason I am examining initiatives such as community sponsorship to support the long-term integration process.