Bríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
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612. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the current position in relation to the Programme for Government commitment to end the direct provision system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26005/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Since publishing A White Paper to End Direct Provision and to establish a New International Protection Support Service, my department has placed a significant focus and drive on delivering these reforms.

Implementation of the White Paper began with the appointment of dedicated staff – a ‘Transition Team’ –in this department to lead the transition to the new system.

Governance structures were established to oversee transition to the new model in the form of a Programme Board and an External Advisory Group.

A high-level implementation Plan was drafted and completed setting out how the provisions contained in the White Paper would be introduced. The plan looked to prioritise and pilot certain elements of the model in 2022 in order to build capacity for the project.

Much progress was made and priority was placed on progressing elements of Phase Two including the development of the accommodation in the community model, the acquisition of properties, the development of the income support payment, the development of the local Integration model, all with a view to commencing the movement of IPAS residents into Phase Two accommodation towards the end of 2022.

As will be appreciated the war in Ukraine has had an unavoidable impact on the timelines and deliverables for the White Paper. Alongside this, there has been a substantial increase in the number of people seeking International Protection with over 15.000 new people seeking accommodation in 2022. 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 is currently underway. The review is also considering the prioritisation 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 including assessing the requirement for An Agency.

It is anticipated the review will be completed in quarter two with a new set of proposals and timelines to be then brought to Government.

While the review is ongoing certain aspects of the White Paper are progressing. This includes:

- The significant development of a new local integration model in collaboration with the Department of Housing Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Association (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The integration model has been agreed and work is currently on going to operationalise the new model and to have the it in place by the second part of 2023.

- The roll out of an International Protection Integration Fund offering grants to civil society organisations for initiatives aimed at supporting the integration of International Protection applicants. Over €1.6m in funding was awarded to 67 organisations in 2022 through this new scheme. A second call for proposals to the scheme was launched in April 2023;

- The launch in April of a €1.3m funding framework to support the Children and Young People’s Services Committees (CYPSC) in further developing, enhancing and expanding the provision of their support services to children, young people and their families in International Protection accommodation settings. Funding to the CYPSCs will be allocated before the end of May;

- The development of the community accommodation model with the purchase of 37 properties. The properties are spread across the country and are a mixture of 2,3,4 bed houses and apartments and two larger 10 bed properties.

- An Expression of Interest competition was launched late last year in collaboration with the Housing Agency to commission Approved Housing Bodies to operationalise the properties purchased as supported accommodation for vulnerable applicants. Two Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned through this process and are currently working with the Housing Agency and this Department to operationalise the properties. The properties will be operationalised on a phased basis in the second half of 2023.

- The delivery of a dedicated accommodation for Victims of Trafficking. The delivery of the unit is planned for mid-August 2023.

- The development of a policy to support the roll out of a payment for children in the International Protection system. A feasibility analysis to examine options for operationalising this payment in light of the exponential growth in IP applicant arrivals in 2022 is currently ongoing.

- The development of an International Protection Information Hub to function as a resource for applicants, facilitating their integration to life in Ireland including an orientation programme and English language supports;

- A focus on increasing the state accommodation owned capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process on the construction of purpose built centres.

- While the delivery of the White Paper has been impacted by the war in Ukraine, the implementation of the new model of accommodation and supports for International Protection applicants is and will continue to be a key priority for my Department. As I have, highlighted work is progressing in key areas, that I believe will have a positive impact on the system and improve the lives of those living in International Protection accommodation.