Patricia Ryan (Kildare South, Sinn Fein)
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376. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth his plans to abolish direct provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33399/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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As part of the Programme for Government, a commitment was made to replace the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants with a new model based on a non-for profit approach. As part of this process I published A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service. This White Paper outlines the proposed new model of accommodation and supports that will be offered to applicants for International Protection and is the result of an extensive consultation process with Civil Society Organisations, residents of Direct Provision centres, and other Government Departments and Bodies. 

The new system is based on a series of principles which is centred on a human rights approach with a focus on dignity, respect and privacy for all. The new model will co-ordinate a two phase system of accommodation and supports that ensures people who are applying for protection are helped integrate into Ireland from day one, with health, housing, education, and employment supports at the core of the new system. All families will be offered own-door accommodation, while single people will be offered own-room accommodation. Congregated accommodation settings will be phased out and the accommodation will be managed by independent not-for-profit organisations operating on behalf of the State.

Since the publication of the White Paper my department has placed a significant focus on delivering the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection. The progress to date has included:

- Establishment of a dedicated transition team within my department to drive implementation of the programme;

- Development of a detailed implementation plan including inputs from other key stakeholders who have a responsibility for delivering services to International Protection applicants;

- Governance structures established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee. The membership of the Programme Board includes a representative with lived experience of International Protection and representatives of non-governmental organisations. The Board has met regularly over the past twelve months to review progress;

- Significant progress has been made on the establishment of the new accommodation model.  This work has involved working very closely with the Housing Agency in the development of detailed policy advice papers including an acquisition policy, an ownership model and a funding model. Proposals in relation to the ownership model were brought to the Programme Board in November 2021 and approved by myself in January 2022. Work is also ongoing to develop a funding model for Approved Housing Bodies to support them in building a pipeline of Phase Two accommodation.

- The County and City Management Association has developed and approved a Local Authority allocation key. The key allows for a distribution of applicants across the country according to population criteria.  DCEDIY and the Housing Agency are using the allocation key to identify suitable properties for purchase for Phase Two accommodation.

- The Housing Agency has proceeded to source a range of properties for Phase Two accommodation and has acquired an initial number to date. Work to source and acquire properties will continue for the remainder of 2022.  

- Work is also moving ahead on developing the system of income support that applicants will receive when moving into Phase Two accommodation. A policy paper has been developed and work is now proceeding to design the operational structures for the payment.

- The Transition Team is also developing an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper. In collaboration with the Local Authorities there has been a focus on designing the supports that will be required at a local level.

- Work is ongoing to launch an integration fund in the coming months which will fund civil society organisations to support the integration of International Protection applicants;

- Development of a Communication strategy including in February 2022 the launch of a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made in implementing the White Paper.

As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for implementation of the White Paper, as staff in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations including members of the White Paper Transition Team. At the end of May upwards of 33,000 Ukrainian refugees have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive, and over 23,000 have been accommodated by the State.

Over the coming weeks, a review will be undertaken of project timelines with a view to presenting a revised implementation plan to the Programme Board.  This will take account of the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the Ukraine crisis and will consider its impacts on project implementation. 

Notwithstanding the impact of the Ukraine crisis, the implementation of the new model is and will continue to be a key priority for my department.