Written answers

Wednesday, 26 September 2018

Department of Justice and Equality

EU Directives

Photo of Catherine ConnollyCatherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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148. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is satisfied that Ireland is adhering to its commitments under the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39045/18]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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Following the approval of the Houses of the Oireachtas to exercise an opt-in by the State to the EU (recast) Reception Conditions Directive, we commenced a four-month mandated compliance procedure with the European Commission to confirm our participation in the Directive. On the successful completion of this compliance procedure, and the commission's Communication thereof, I signed the European Communities (Reception Conditions) Regulations 2018 on 30 June 2018 to transpose the Directive into our national law.

Participation in the Directive brings us into line with the norms and standards for reception conditions for international protection applicants across the EU. As I am sure the Deputy will appreciate, the delivery of the provisions under the Directive as set out in our transposing Regulations are the responsibility of a wide variety of Government Departments and services, including the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection; the Department of Health and the HSE; the Department of Education and Skills; and, in the case of unaccompanied minors, Tusla - the Child and Family Agency.

Within my own Department's remit, eligible applicants can now apply for a broad and generous permission to access the labour market. Additionally, we are one of a small number of Member States to extend labour market access to self-employment, to provide additional opportunities for applicants who wish to establish their own business. To date, I have granted 1,388 labour market access permissions to eligible applicants.

In terms of accommodation, the implementation of the Justice McMahon recommendations has improved the standard of living for many applicants across our centres, in particular for families. My colleague, Minister of State Stanton, has continued the programme of reforms in this area through the establishment of a Standards Advisory Group. The Group, which includes representatives of relevant Government Departments, NGOs and representative groups, has developed Draft National Standards to improve quality of care and ensure consistency across our accommodation centres. These Draft National Standards have been published on my Department's website as part of a consultation process with an opportunity to submit feedback via an online form. The consultation process opened on 16 August and the closing date for the submission of feedback was yesterday, 25 September. I would like to thank all those who took the time to review the Draft National Standards and to submit comments, which will feed into the finalised Standards. We are also holding consultation meetings with residents of the centres and with service providers, organisations and people working with residents.

While both Minister Stanton and I are committed to improving standards across accommodation centres, we must also acknowledge the exceptionally challenging environment for housing and accommodation provision across the State at this time. The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) of my Department has over the last 12 months increased its contracted number of beds in accommodation centres by 646. Despite this, we are close to almost 100% capacity with 5,800 contracted beds. To alleviate the current situation, RIA will open two new centres in the coming weeks. RIA has also advertised in the national press for expressions of interest to provide accommodation and related services to applicants on an urgent basis. We are also taking steps with the Department of Housing, Planning and Local Government to transition to mainstream housing supports the approximately 600 people with status or a permission to remain who continue to reside in RIA provided accommodation centres.  

Notwithstanding the challenges to accommodation provision and the ongoing nature of reforms, I am satisfied that we are adhering to our commitments under the EU Directive.  

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