Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party)
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990. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to a correspondence (details supplied); his response to the issues raised therein; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47591/23]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Regarding the correspondence referenced by the Deputy, it has been considered.

There are currently over 25,000 persons in IPAS accommodation. Since the beginning of 2023 to date, over 9,500 people have arrived seeking International Protection, many of which have been accommodated by IPAS. Due to the significant increase, there is a requirement to continue with a blended approach of accommodation options, including commercial and private providers.

I acknowledge that the number of IPAs resident in Emergency Accommodation Centres (EACs) remains high, and my Department is working to procure new accommodation, and transition current residents from EACs to more permanent accommodation within the portfolio.

The commitments made in A White Paper to end Direct Provision and Establish a new International Protection Support Service are still a key priority for my Department. The implementation of the White paper has been significantly impacted by the war in Ukraine and the substantial increase in IPAs.

With this in mind, there is a recognition that the underlying assumptions of the White Paper needed to be re-examined, as it was originally based on 3,500 new arrivals each year. This review process is currently underway. In terms of next steps, a cabinet memo will be going to government in the coming weeks setting out a revised implementation approach. There will be new ambition in terms of increasing the state owned permanent accommodation capacity to meet increasing needs. However due to the significant increase in numbers there will be a requirement for a blended approach of accommodation options including commercial and private providers. While the proposals set out for a revised pathway for the White Paper are intended to achieve a more sustainable model of accommodation and supports for IP applicants, this will take time.

Notwithstanding the acute accommodation pressures faced by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) in accommodating International Protection applicant’s ,significant work has continued to deliver on the commitments made in the White Paper under the three core strands – Accommodation, Integration and Supports.

Accommodation

• There has been a focus on increasing the state owned accommodation capacity including progressing the buying of pre-existing buildings and advancing the planning process for the construction of purpose built centres.
• Work has also been carried out to deliver some accommodation in the community with thirty-seven properties purchased to date. Approved Housing Bodies (AHBs) have been commissioned to operationalise these properties, and will be prioritised to accommodate vulnerable IP applicants. The properties will be delivered on a phased basis over the next number of months.
• A dedicated unit for victims of trafficking (VOT) in accordance with White Paper recommendations has been established. The VOT unit is currently being staffed and residents are being identified for the unit.
• The Department is progressing the introduction of independent monitoring of IPAS centres by HIQA, providing greater confidence on the standards being applied in existing IP accommodation.

• In order to improve the ability to integrate Government has granted International Protection applicants the right to work after six months, the right to apply for a driving licence, and access to bank accounts.
• A new local integration model has been developed in collaboration with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (DHLGH), the City and County Management Authority (CCMA) and the Local Government Management Agency (LGMA). The model centres on a new national network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs), funded by DCEDIY, to be located in each local authority, to better help International Protection applicants engage with existing local services. Recruitment for the LAITs is underway by individual Local Authorities and a Working Group, chaired by the LGMA, has been established to develop the detailed functions of the LAITs.
• An international Protection Integration Fund was launched in 2022, which aims to enable community based organisations across Ireland to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level. Over €2.8m in funding have been awarded to 137 organisations since the fund was launched in in 2022. Examples of initiatives funded include.

• A vulnerability assessment process has been available to all IP applicant arrivals since February 2021. For the period from 1st February 2021 to 1st November 2023, 4,050 vulnerability assessments have been undertaken. This process is enabling IPAS to identify IP applicants with specified needs and to refer such persons, as necessary, to the HSE where those needs involve mental or physical health issues.
• A new 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 was launched in 2023. €1.3m has been provided under this new fund. Examples of initiatives funded include projects aimed at Community Integration, Supports for Parents, Emergency Accommodation and Mental Health. This has enabled families and children in International Protection settings to engage with their local community through for music and sports programmes, well-being programmes and cultural community exchange events.
• A customer service team was established in IPAS in 2021 which runs clinics, often in cooperation with NGO partners, for applicants in newly established centres or in centres with higher than average complaints rates.
• NGOs have been contracted to provide in-centre supports to IP applicants. The International Organisation for Migration (IOM), for instance, has been contracted to provide orientation and social supports to IP applicants at the Citywest Transit Hub and to link them with mainstream services.
• The REALT network of language supports for Ukrainian children has been extended to provide support to children in International Protection in terms of securing school places and additional supports.
• Under the European Social Fund 2021-2027 funding has been allocated the DCEDIY to recruit dedicated practitioners to support families living in IPAS accommodation. Adopting a multiagency, multidisciplinary approach, these practitioners will provide a standardised pathway for family support within each of the 17 Tusla areas. Supports will vary depending on the needs of each individual family but may consist of delivering individualised parenting programmes and family support clinics or facilitating the integration of families by building connections with Family Resource Centres in the locality.
• Monies has been provided in the 2024 budget for a child payment for families in International Protection. Work is now ongoing to secure sanction for the payment as it is a new development measure.
• IPAS works in collaboration with DePaul Ireland, the Peter McVerry Trust (PMvT), officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Local Authorities and the City and County Managers Association to collectively support residents with International Protection, or a permission to remain, to exit IPAS accommodation and access housing options. Those with status have the same housing entitlements as Irish Citizens and are supported to register with a Local Authority and, if required, to use the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) to secure alternative accommodation. In addition, those with status have access to full social welfare job seekers allowance if they are unemployed. The services, which the Department has contracted from PMvT and DePaul, include the holding of onsite clinics for residents and the provision dedicated points of contact who can offer support.