Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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625. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the inspections, per county, conducted by his Department on sites being utilised for those seeking international protection in this country in 2022 and to date in 2023, in tabular form. [26353/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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At present, all IPAS permanent accommodation centres are subject to three unannounced inspections per year. In 2022, inspections were carried out in each centre by an independent inspections company (QTS Ltd) and one by officials of the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).

The third round of inspections were delayed as the usual mid-year round of inspections had been delayed due to the Department’s response to the Ukraine crisis.

In 2022, all IPAS centres with the exception of 2 permanent centres had 2 inspections carried out. 5 centres had 3 inspections carried out.

Further details of inspections are available on the Government website gov.ie - IPAS Inspection Reports (www.gov.ie) www.gov.ie/en/publication/534c2-ipas-inspection-reports/

Please see in tabular format, the number of inspections that have taken place of IPAS accommodation in the years 2022 and 2023, thus far.

James O'Connor (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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626. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if the Government will consider a vastly enhanced community funding programme to support communities hosting refugees and people in direct provision services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26376/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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My department already administers several funding programmes to support NGOs and communities hosting migrants. These funding programmes include the:

- Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

- Communities Integration Fund

- International Protection Integration Fund

- National Integration Fund

Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund

Ireland's national programme for the 2021-2027 Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) was adopted by the EU Commission on 19 December 2022. Under Ireland’s national programme, it is intended to provide a range of supports for refugees, asylum seekers and third-country nationals arriving in Ireland, ranging from information and assistance with basic needs through to specialist supports in areas such as medical/psychosocial and legal assistance; to delegate and oversee activities via Direct Awards to specialised bodies; and to fund the management of returns of third country nationals to their country of origin, where appropriate. Implementation of the 2021-2027 AMIF national programme will commence in Q3 2023.

Communities Integration Fund

The purpose of the Communities Integration Fund (CIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants.

Each year, a total of €500,000 is available to local community-based organisations to carry out integration projects in their local areas. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, sports clubs, faith-based groups, arts groups, cultural organisations, and schools. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.

The CIF has been in place since 2017 and arises from Action 51 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to local communities throughout Ireland to promote the integration of migrants and refugees. Since its inception, the CIF has supported over 820 projects, with grant funding totalling €3.82 million.

International Protection Integration Fund

The purpose of the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of International Protection applicants (IPAs).

Annually a total of €500,000 is made available to community-based organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, provincial or local level. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, and cultural organisations. Applicant organisations must operate on a not-for-profit basis.

The IPIF supports chapter 5.2.2 of the commitments within A White Paper to End Direct Provision and Establish a New International Protection Support Service. In the white paper, the Government committed to developing a community integration fund for International Protection applicants. A total budget of €5 million was established, with an annual allocation of €500,000 to be paid out over the course of the project.

National Integration Fund

The purpose of the National Integration Fund (NIF) is to support communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants at a national or regional level.

Approximately €750,000 is committed per year, subject to the availability of funds in the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth vote. This funding can be used for both once-off initiatives and projects rolled out over a maximum of three years. Projects must take an inclusive approach, aiming to bring migrants and host communities together.

The NIF 2023 open call for proposals will be launched in Q4 2023. The minimum annual grant amount that can be applied for will be €25,000, and grants may range up to €200,000 over the lifetime of the project. The NIF arises from Action 6 of the Migrant Integration Strategy, which calls for funding to be made available to promote positive action initiatives to address areas where migrants find it difficult to avail of opportunities on an equal basis with other members of Irish society.

I am currently working to establish other funds to support communities hosting international protection applicants, conscious of the needs that can arise when new centres are being opened.

Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)
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627. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the extent to which he continues to ensure that adequate provision is being made available throughout the country for refugees, Ukrainians or applicants of the International Protection Programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26381/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Ireland is now accommodating over 84,875 people between those fleeing Ukraine and International Protection applicants (IPAs). This compares with over 8,575 at the end of February 2022.

Since the beginning of January 2022, the International Protection Procurement Service (IPPS) have brought 148 emergency accommodation locations into use in 23 counties. All offers of accommodation received have been considered.

IPPS continues to evaluate all offers of accommodation made to it as quickly as possible and welcomes offers from providers who will accommodate IPAs.

There is no delay from the Department in regard to its evaluation of offers and proposals are being appraised and agreed at a rapid pace.

My Department is availing of office buildings, decommissioned Defence Forces barracks and tents to try to address the shortfall it currently faces where demand for accommodation outstrips supply.

My Department is continuing to engage with providers of new accommodation. A number of repurposed buildings will shortly be brought into use as adult male accommodation.

In addition, the Department is progressing with a plan to deliver capacity through ‘floating accommodation’. And is expected to publish a Request for Tender on eTenders shortly. It is envisaged that circa 1,500 bed spaces will be created from this accommodation type.

Accommodation has been acquired under the White Paper model and a funding scheme to support approved housing bodies to source White Paper related accommodation will be launched shortly. Work is also ongoing to purchase turnkey larger reception centres under the White Paper model. Work is also being undertaken to use rapid build technologies to develop larger reception centres under the auspices of the Accommodation Working Group which has a mandate to devise accommodation solutions for international protection applicants and beneficiaries of temporary protection.

In terms of the Ukraine crisis, in excess of 770 contracts are in operation to provide accommodation to Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. Contracted accommodation capacity at present comes to approximately 47,000 beds in hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs, hostels, self-catering accommodation and certain other repurposed settings.

Efforts to secure additional accommodation include the continued matching of pledge offers. Since March 2022, my Department in collaboration with the Irish Red Cross and the Implementing partners has contributed to ensuring as many appropriate pledge offers as possible have been activated. To date, over 7,300 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated in over 3,200 properties. The Irish Red Cross has resumed ownership of the pledge process in 2023 with the objective of advancing matches to the greatest extent possible.

My Department continues to engage with sporting organisations and other bodies to bring any other venues or other suitable buildings on stream to house those fleeing the war in Ukraine. My Department is also working as a member of the Senior Officials Accommodation Working Group set up by the Department of An Taoiseach and including the Department of Housing to advance certain refurbished properties in a timely manner. The unoccupied homes campaign is also coordinated by Local Authorities and as of 24 May, over 3000 beneficiaries of temporary protection have been accommodated under the Offer a Home Scheme.

My Department is also collaborating with the OPW in implementing the rapid build homes programme to house BOTP's. The Government has approved the construction of 700 rapid build homes with the potential to house up to 2,800 individuals in family units. The rapid build homes will be constructed on state owned land. After a programme of engagement with local representatives and local authorities, work has begun on the first phase of sites. Further sites will come on stream in the coming weeks following the completion of suitability assessment work. My Department is working with other Departments and agencies (D/Health, D/Education, HSE) to ensure that the additional resources needed are in place.