Written answers

Thursday, 3 June 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Direct Provision System

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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317. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the status of the inter-Departmental work engaged in by his Department with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage with respect to the delivery of accommodation for those in direct provision in addition to the other accommodation commitments provided for in the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30306/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As identified in A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, the Housing Agency will be a major partner with my Department for successful implementation. A number of meetings have been held with the Housing Agency and work is ongoing to develop a Memorandum of Understanding and an action plan.

Another key stakeholder in the implementation of the White Paper will be the Local Authorities. Meetings have begun with the sector with engagement with the County and City Management Association (CCMA) and Local Government (LGMA). The CCMA is currently working on developing an allocation key for phase two accommodation. The purpose of the allocation key will determine in advance the relative proportion of international protection applicants to be accommodated in each Local Authority area and will take account of applicant needs, population density, housing need and availability of relevant public services in each county. The development of this allocation key is a high priority for the early stage of the project.  It is understood that the CCMA will consider and agree the allocation key later this month. 

Photo of Carol NolanCarol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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318. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the estimated costs of translating the White Paper on Ending Direct Provision into Irish, Albanian, Arabic, French, Georgian, Somali and Urdu; the service providers contracted for this purpose; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30307/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to Establish a New International Protection Support Service, was published on 26 February 2021, along with translations of the Executive Summary into Irish, Albanian, Arabic, French, Georgian, Somali and Urdu.  The service provider was Word Perfect, with whom my Department has a contract, and the cost including VAT was €3,780.65. These translations were designed to ensure that the White Paper would be accessible to a wide range of international protection applicants.

The Deputy can access these translated summaries on my Department's website, www.gov.ie/dcediy, and also on, www.gov.ie/en/publication/7aad0-minister-ogorman-publishes-the-white-paper-on-ending-direct-provision/.

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