Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein)
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1794.To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth , further to Parliamentary Question No. 316 of 11 July, to specify the resources, processes and services referenced, namely, the "additional resources and new processes and structures to integrate expertise and efforts are in place"; to specifically outline, as requested, the engagement with health services, local GPs and other service providers in the area; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31890/24]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Government has established a number of supports to assist communities who have accommodated International Protection Applicants (IP) or Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP), some of which are outlined below.

Local Authority Integration Teams and Community Integration Forums

The primary role of the Local Authority Integration Teams (LAIT) is to provide ongoing integration support to International Protection Applicants, those with status, Programme Refugees and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) to enable them to ultimately live independently in the community. This will involve linking individuals within these cohorts with local services and supports appropriate to their needs. The LAITs will also act as the direct point of contact, providing information, guidance and advice, and answering queries as they arise.

The LAITs are integral members of the Community Integration Forums. The Community Integration Forums are a permanent and expanded structure which incorporates both the existing Community Response Forum for BOTPs and the Interagency Working Groups currently in place for the Irish Refugee Protection Programme.

The purpose of the Forum is to act as a collaborative network and working group across the mainstream services, community and voluntary organisations, and NGOs working with IP Applicants, Programme Refugees and BOTPs.

Driven and chaired by the Chief Executive of the local authority, each Forum consists of representatives of key stakeholders and service providers at management level within the county. Organisations represented on the Forum include HSE, Department of Social Protection, Local Development Companies, An Garda Síochána, Family Resource Centres, REALT, Tusla, City/ County Childcare Committee, Local Link, CYPSC, Volunteer Centres, and Citizens Information Services.

Community Recognition Fund

The Community Recognition Fund aims to support the development of community infrastructure and facilities for the entire community in recognition of the contribution being made by communities across the country in welcoming and hosting significant numbers of arrivals from Ukraine and other countries.

More information is available here.

Community Integration Fund (CIF)

€500,000 will be made available to local community-based projects nationwide to support the integration of migrants. The CIF enables community-based organisations across Ireland to build on their vital work in reaching out to, and helping to, integrate migrants into local communities. Successful organisations will receive grant funding of €1,000 – €5,000 to support local integration initiatives.

Provision of health services

While my Department assists with the Government’s response to ensure that Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs) and International Protection applicants (IPs) receive accommodation or access to accommodation, in line with Government policy, my colleague the Minister for Health co-ordinates the provision of health supports as appropriate. As such, the Deputy might wish to refer questions regarding provision of health services to my colleague the Minister for Health.

My officials have regular meetings with the HSE’s National Social Inclusion Office to discuss operational matters. The HSE is provided with information regarding new accommodation centres coming on stream and the numbers of BOTPs and IPs in State provided accommodation across Ireland. These meetings enable officials in the HSE to provide any additional medical supports for communities, if required.