Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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291. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if he plans to expand the accommodation recognition payment scheme past its current end date of 31 March 2023. [5928/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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The Accommodation Recognition Payment Scheme is due to end on 31 March 2023. However, it may be extended by Order by me as the Minister as set out in the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2022. The EU has extended the protection to Ukrainians fleeing the war to the end of March 2024. Accordingly, I propose to extend the ARP scheme to the end of March 2024. I have written to the Minister for Social Protection and Minister for Public Expenditure to consult with them as required.

A draft Order is being prepared in conjunction with the Office of Parliamentary Counsel. I propose to discuss the matter with the Oireachtas Committee and bring the required motions before both Houses of the Oireachtas in the coming weeks.

Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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292. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the progress that has been made in relation to implementing the report of the advisory group on the provision of support, including accommodation, to persons in the international protection process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5946/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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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 Minister Roderic O'Gorman T.D., Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, 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 this 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. Over €1.6m in funding has being awarded to 67 organisations through this new International Protection Integration Fund in 2022.

While much progress has been made, the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on timelines for delivery of the new model of accommodation as staff in the Department were temporarily diverted to fulfil Ireland’s obligations. Over 66,500 Ukrainian refugees to date have come to Ireland under the Temporary Protection Directive and over 53,800 have been accommodated by the State. 

Alongside this, since the lifting of international travel restrictions post-COVID-19, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 15,000 arriving in 2022. Overall, my Department is now accommodating over 74,000 people, compared with 7,500 at this time last year.

It is not clear if the increase in International Protection arrivals is a once-off impact due to the pent up demand after Covid and the impact of the war in Ukraine or is a trend that will continue into 2023 and beyond. This increase in numbers has huge implications for the implementation of the White Paper as the assumptions underpinning it are based on 3500 new arrivals each year, which is based on 20 years of data.

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. It expected the review will be completed by the end of quarter one 2022.

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.