Duncan Smith (Dublin Fingal, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

676. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government if he has set up a standard process across local authorities for the provision of services to refugees from Ukraine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20764/22]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

On 31 March 2022, my colleague, Heather Humphreys TD, Minister for Rural and Community Development, and I wrote to the chief executives of the local authorities welcoming the establishment of Community Response Forums in every local authority area to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to those arriving into our communities having fled the conflict in Ukraine.

Building on structures and relationships which were highly effective during the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Response Forums will enable all those involved to work together, under the stewardship of the local authority. The purpose of the forums will be to ensure effective communication and information sharing in the coordination of local community and voluntary actions providing community supports to the new Ukrainian communities.

To assist in the process, a Community Response Forum Framework, prepared by our Departments with the local government sector was developed. The Framework is a national template for arrangements to be in place in each area to enable all involved at a local level to work together to support the integration of Ukrainian refugees to our communities. The Community Response Forums are meeting regularly and are doing so in a very positive and collaborative environment.

Information about the Community Response Forums can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/d7cf1-how-people-can-help/

In recognition of the growing numbers involved and the complexity of managing such a quickly changing situation, on 22nd April, I wrote again to Chief Executives of all local authorities to request that a Director of Service level staff member be assigned fulltime, supported by a small team, to coordinate the provision of services and supports locally.