Joe O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Green Party)
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Government is working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response to people fleeing Ukraine and seeking protection in Ireland.

Building on structures developed during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Response Fora are being repurposed in each local authority area, including in Dublin. The Forum brings together all public, community and voluntary organisations active locally, as well as the Cathaoirleach or Mayor of each local authority. Members of the local Ukrainian community will be fully involved. The role of each Forum is to coordinate the community-led response in the provision of assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees as they are accommodated around the country.

My Department has worked with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the CCMA to agree a Community Response Framework which will guide that work.  The Framework sets out a national template for arrangements to be put in place in each area to enable all involved at a local level - including the community and voluntary sector - to work together to support the integration of displaced Ukrainians in our communities, under the stewardship of the local authorities.

My Department’s key focus in relation to the current situation is to ensure that the resources, skills and capacity of the local development, community development and charity sector are utilised to maximum effect to help address the challenges arising. My Department is linking with key stakeholders at community level, providing information, and assisting the co-ordination of supports through the community sector.

My Department has also committed to enabling flexibility in programme delivery to shift focus onto the Ukraine response, where necessary. For example, flexibility has been offered to Local Development Companies in respect of SICAP resources.  This will ensure that around 600 Community Development Workers are available to help support arrivals from Ukraine. In addition, organisations supported under the Community Services Programme can include Ukrainians in the target groups for their services. Exceptional additional funding for staff resources is being provided by my Department to Volunteer Centres providing support in frontline reception hubs, and to a CSP organisation to assist their efforts in co-ordinating the response to Ukrainian refugees.

Our volunteer support programme, which includes Volunteer Ireland and the network of volunteer centres, is heavily engaged in sourcing volunteers to address the many requests for specific volunteer roles emerging across the country.  These include reception centres, provision of basic supplies, integration services, access to information, etc. The Community Volunteers pilot programme is also providing a way for local communities to offer support to those in need. Developed based on lessons learned about volunteering during COVID-19, the programme is funded by my Department, coordinated by Volunteer Ireland and Volunteer Centres, and supported by the Local Authority in each area.

I recognise that the capacity, willingness and expertise exists at local level to co-ordinate responses, signpost services, and link voluntary and statutory efforts. Huge efforts were made by volunteers during the pandemic, and dedicated volunteers across the country are working again to help people from Ukraine arriving in Ireland. Government is working to ensure that local capacity, resources and knowledge are brought to bear on the overall humanitarian response and will work closely with Local Authorities to ensure a well-co-ordinated and seamless approach.