Written answers

Thursday, 29 March 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

Migrant Integration

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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196. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the obligation on local authorities to have in place a migration integration strategy; the consequences for local authorities that fail to have such a policy in place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14720/18]

Photo of David StantonDavid Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Although I do not have direct responsibility in relation to the actions of Local Authorities, I take it the Deputy is referring to the Action 52 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which states that “Integration strategies will be updated”. Local Authorities are the Responsible Bodies for the implementation of this action.

All actions will be undertaken within the framework of the National Strategy. A Monitoring and Coordination Committee has been established to support the process of implementing the Migrant Integration Strategy. The Committee, which comprises representatives of relevant Government Departments, State Agencies and the NGO sector, oversees the implementation the strategy. The Terms of Reference for this committee include: the review of all actions; the monitoring of progress; assessing whether or not further action is needed; and to make recommendations for adding or changing actions. Progress on the implementation of the actions in the Strategy will be reviewed at the end of 2018 and a report prepared for Government.

In addition, under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) 2014-2020, my Department supports the ‘Immigrant Council of Ireland’ with a grant award of €150,000, which includes an objective to monitor, encourage and support the development and implementation of Local Authority Integration Strategies over a three year period. It is envisaged that this project will also bring together all Local Authorities in Ireland to discuss challenges, opportunities for collaboration and share good practice examples.

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