Written answers

Tuesday, 6 July 2021

Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

Immigration Support Services

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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400. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which the integration programmes available through his Department continue to be of direct assistance to the relevant cohort; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36475/21]

Photo of Bernard DurkanBernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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402. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of cases in respect of which satisfactory integration programmes have been initiated in each particular area throughout the country; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36477/21]

Photo of Roderic O'GormanRoderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 400 and 402 together.

The Government is committed to the development and nurturing of an all-inclusive society in Ireland. We are in the process of implementing a number of key strategies which are helping to promote inclusion and diversity across Irish society. The Migrant Integration Strategy 2017 – 2020 is one such strategy and, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, a decision was taken to extend the Migrant Integration Strategy to run until the end of 2021.

The Strategy targets all migrants who are legally in the State. It contains 76 actions which are delivered by Government Departments, local authorities, local communities, the business sector, sporting and arts organisations and NGOs across a number of policy areas relevant to the integration of migrants, including employment; education and social inclusion. It also addresses racism and xenophobia, representing a whole-of-Government approach.

There are a number of funding streams available to support the integration of migrants.

- My Department administers a National Funding Programme to promote the Integration of migrants and the National Integration Fund 2020 had funding of €2.2 million available over a three year period. The Fund supports communities to promote the integration of migrants and their children into Irish society and selected projects will help to combat racism and xenophobia.

- In addition, the Communities Integration Fund supports local initiatives. There were 112 successful applications who received grants of up to €5,000 under the 2020 Fund. Applications for the 2021 Communities Integration Fund were open until 2 July 2021 and are now being assessed. The 2021 Fund also has total funding of €500,000 available for these projects.

- Funding from European sources also supports migrant integration activities, including the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). The 2019 AMIF allocation provided funding of €4,487,919 to 19 projects - 4 of which operate nationwide. There are also 4 operating in Dublin, 2 in Cork, and 1 each in Monaghan, Kildare, Meath,1 in Kildare, 1 in Meath, Limerick, Clare, Galway, Waterford, Mayo and Kerry.

- The 2016 European Social Fund (ESF) Integration and Employment of Migrants allocated funding of €3,288,498 to 5 projects. Two of the projects operate nationwide and the others were located in Dublin, Meath and Kilkenny. Those projects are due to conclude in 2021 and a funding call for further ESF funding is likely to take place this year.

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