Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

384. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his Department is considering the inclusion of Ukrainian nationals in the community sponsorship scheme. [12416/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Community Sponsorship is an alternative resettlement stream to the traditional state-centred resettlement model. The model seeks to allow groups in a community setting to support refugees arriving in a Community Sponsorship Group (CSG).

A key aim of the Group is to source a housing solution for the refugee family. Since 2019 20 families have been settled across 20 different rural and urban communities throughout Ireland. A further 36 Community Sponsorship Groups are at various stages of development across 14 counties.

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) continues to engage with communities on Community Sponsorship and 20 families have benefitted to date from the programme. At the start of 2021, the IRPP commissioned four Regional Support Organisations (RSOs). 

They have the role to oversee the recruitment, support, coordination and training of Community Sponsorship groups across seven regions throughout Ireland and to promote Community Sponsorship at a local level. 

Community Sponsorship will continue to be available to refugees arriving under the current resettlement programme. 

Consideration is being given to see if this model can be adapted to provide guidance to community groups interested in supporting new arrivals in Ukraine to find housing solutions while they are in Ireland.