Richard Boyd Barrett (Dún Laoghaire, People Before Profit Alliance)
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602. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality in light of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza and the level of public sympathy for Palestinians in Ireland whether he will expand the Community Sponsorship Programme to help settle Palestinian families in Ireland with community support. [36222/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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I am acutely aware of the grave humanitarian crisis in Gaza and my Department has worked closely with colleagues in the Department of Foreign Affairs to ensure a coordinated national response to this volatile and evolving situation. This includes work to evacuate Irish citizens and their families who may require visa assistance.

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme is a distinct programme within my Department that facilitates the planned resettlement of UNHCR registered refugees to Ireland from countries of first asylum, including through the Community Sponsorship Programme.

While events in Gaza are being kept under constant review, there are no current plans to expand this Programme along the lines suggested by the Deputy.