Written answers

Tuesday, 11 May 2021

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

EU Migration Crisis

Photo of John BradyJohn Brady (Wicklow, Sinn Fein)
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79. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the actions he plans to take to introduce a level of humanity to the EU refugee policy in view of the continuing incarceration of refugees on the Greek Island of Lesbos under horrific conditions (details supplied). [24130/21]

Photo of Simon CoveneySimon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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I have consistently ensured that Ireland voices its support for EU efforts to put in place more effective and humane arrangements to manage the migratory pressures which the EU continues to face. The EU Commission’s “New Pact on Migration and Asylum” represents an opportunity to renew efforts to put in place such arrangements. Discussions on the Pact are continuing within the Justice and Home Affairs Council though progress to date has been limited. For its part, Ireland has been clear in urging compromise and solidarity with frontline states as well as support for EU efforts to deal with migration in a comprehensive and holistic manner, including through resettlement and increased legal pathways for migration; addressing root causes of migration and reforming the Common European Asylum System.

In 2019, there were 42,000 people hosted in camps on the Greek islands, in conditions that were extremely difficult. That number is now 14,000, with under 8000 on Lesbos. While this is still too high, and conditions are still a clear issue, strong efforts are being made to further improve the situation. The European Commission has dedicated over €155 million to building new reception centres on Lesbos and Chios, and a further €121 million for smaller centres on Samos, Kos and Leros. These new centres, when finished, will help address the problem of overcrowding.

In December, Ireland provided UNICEF Greece with a contribution of €225,000 in respect of the response to the Moria fire. This contribution complements the considerable Irish Aid humanitarian support to refugees in Syria, Lebanon and Jordan.

On 1 October 2020, Minister McEntee announced that Ireland would accept 50 refugees in family groups from Lesvos. Ireland also has an existing commitment to accept 36 unaccompanied minors from Greece. Eight of these minors arrived in Ireland last June. Staff from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, along with staff from Tusla and An Garda Síochána, will travel to Greece in the coming weeks to interview 25 unaccompanied minors and 50 people in family groups, with a view to arranging their relocation to Ireland.

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