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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 421 to 423, inclusive, together.

Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, and the activation of the Temporary Protection Directive immediately afterwards, over 59,000 people have been forced to leave their homes in Ukraine and have sought refuge here in Ireland. Approximately 47,000 of those are being provided with accommodation from the State.

In response to the crisis, the Government has sought to provide a range of accommodation solutions in every county in Ireland. This has primarily involved the contracting of hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, but also has included the use of Scout Halls, Religious Congregations’ accommodation, vacant student accommodation and other locations.  In addition, around 5,450 people displaced by the war in Ukraine have taken up places in the private homes of Irish people who have volunteered their rooms or vacant houses for use.

As part of this considerable national effort, the Government has also approved the construction of 500 rapid build homes on State owned land, which will aim to provide accommodation to 2000 individuals in family units.

The Office of Public Works (OPW) is leading on the design, development and delivery of any accommodation to be produced through rapid build construction, including associated site enabling works on available and suitable State land. My Department is the Approving Authority for the Programme and has responsibility for the ownership of these rapid build homes and their future use.

The Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage sought information from public authorities on potential sites in their ownership which might be suitable for the installation of rapid build homes. On foot of the responses received, the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage provided a shorter list of potentially suitable sites to DCEDIY and OPW and this included a number of sites in Longford.

The Department is currently rolling out this first phase of the programme of rapid build homes with sites identified in Cork, Cavan, Tipperary, Sligo and Claremorris. Further engagement with public representatives and communities will take place in the coming weeks and early in 2023 regarding the next phase of sites.

As the Deputy is aware, the development of rapid build homes to assist the Ukrainian humanitarian response will greatly support families fleeing from war and very difficult conditions in Ukraine.

For further information on the project please see attached link to a gov.ie webpage ttps://www.gov.ie/en/publication/ef882-rapid-build-housing/.

Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

424. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he will re-establish a timeline for ending direct provision and the introduction of a rights-based, non-profit approach to addressing the needs of those seeking asylum in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [61048/22]

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

As the Deputy will be aware the Government made a commitment in the Programme for Government to end the current system of accommodation for International Protection applicants and replace it with a new model that is based on a not 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 on 26 February 2021. This paper sets out a new approach for accommodating applicants that seek International Protection in Ireland and will replace the current system.

Since publishing, the White Paper my department has placed a significant focus on delivering these reforms. Progress made includes:

- The recruitment of a team dedicated to driving the implementation of the new programme;

- The establishment of Governance structures to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Committee;

- The development of the community accommodation model including the acquisition of some properties;

- The development of an integration programme to support the principle of ‘integration from day one’ as set out in the White Paper;

- The advancement of our Communication Strategy to include a dedicated webpage where all members of the Public can find updates on the progress being made;

- The initiation of a planning process for Phase One Reception and Integration Centres.

- The roll out of an integration fund, offering grants to civil society organisations for projects supporting the integration of International Protection Applicants. I am very pleased to say that over €1.6 million in funding has being awarded to 67 organisations through this new International Protection Integration Fund.

As will be appreciated, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for the implementation of the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking international protection with over 12,000 arrivals up to the end of October and a prediction of over 14,000 by the end of the year. As of the 24 November my department is accommodating over 64,500 people overall, compared with 7,500 at this time last year.

In this vastly changed context, an overall review of the projected timelines and deliverables in the White Paper is currently underway. This is a complex exercise that will take account of both the delays that have arisen as a consequence of the war in Ukraine and the impact of the substantial increase in numbers seeking International Protection.

The review is reassessing the projections underpinning the White Paper with respect to numbers of arrivals and how this impacts on key deliverables. The review will also consider whether it is preferable to prioritise the implementation of certain aspects of the White Paper reforms over others. The objective of such an approach would be to progress with key reforms that are achievable in the current altered context and build must needed accommodation capacity in the system. This could enable progress on a meaningful reform programme that adheres to the key principles of the White Paper.

The review will also focus on identifying new approaches that will help the system to manage with the uncertainty and its demand led nature and address future needs.

An initial paper with some options and recommendations has been brought to the White Paper Programme Board for their input and feedback. Once the overall review is completed, a new set of proposals will be drafted and submitted to Government for their approval.