Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow, Social Democrats)
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397. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the timeline for publication of the White Paper to replace the current direct provision system; the funding that will be provided for reforms required; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42937/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Programme for Government contains a commitment to ending the Direct Provision system and replacing it with a new International Protection accommodation policy, centred on a not-for-profit approach. The Government has also committed to the development of a White Paper which will set out how this new system will be structured and the steps to achieving it.

My Department is currently developing the White Paper, which will set out options, together with the recommended direction, for the new model of accommodation and services for International Protection applicants and the transitional processes needed to implement the model. Options for developing a not-for-profit approach are currently being examined in this regard.

Good progress has been made on drafting the White Paper and work is now focusing on testing the accommodation proposals that will be contained in it. In view of the extent of change proposed, the White Paper will take some more time than originally envisaged and I now expect it will be published in the second week of February.

I am providing a total of €225 million in funding for International Protection Seekers Accommodation for the coming year in Budget 2021. The increased funding, €145 million over what was provided in 2020, will enable my Department to begin the process of implementing the Programme for Government commitment to end the Direct Provision system and to plan for the transition to an alternative model of provision. Funding issues across Government will be included in the final White Paper when completed.