Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent)
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736. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is involved in the resettlement plans for Afghani citizens following the takeover of the government of Afghanistan by the Taliban; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42178/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I can confirm to the Deputy that in response to the crisis in Afghanistan, approximately 330 places have been made available for humanitarian cases from Afghanistan through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.

Priority has been given to those working on human rights issues, including the rights of women, girls, and minorities, as well as those working with NGOs and European and international organisations.

The matter will be kept under review.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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737. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will increase resettlement places for Afghan refugees and provide additional support and assistance for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme and participate in the wider EU redistribution. [42794/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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738. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will commit to resettle a minimum of 1,000 Afghan refugees. [42795/21]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 738 together.

I wish to confirm to the Deputy that the Government responded to the crisis in Afghanistan by announcing the provision of approximately 300 places under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) for those most at risk in Afghanistan, including those working on human rights issues and on the rights of women and girls and minorities specifically, as well as those working with NGOs and international organisations and media.

This decision will be kept under review as the situation evolves.

There are capacity and resourcing issues for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme which my Department will also keep under review.