Sorca Clarke (Longford-Westmeath, Sinn Fein)
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138. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality the action his Department is taking to address the root causes of racial attacks and ensure better protection and integration for migrant communities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60227/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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The Government is determined to stamp out hate-motivated crimes and to protect vulnerable communities.

The Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024 came into effect at the start of this year. The new legislation provides for increased prison sentences for certain crimes, where they are proven to be motivated by hatred, or where hatred is demonstrated based on the identity of the victims.

I can assured the Deputy that An Garda Síochána takes hate crime very seriously. Every hate crime reported to An Garda Síochána is professionally investigated and victims supported during the criminal justice process.

An Garda Síochána has an extensive network of nearly 600 trained Garda Diversity Officers who can engage with communities and individuals on a daily basis to provide them with re-assurance and address issues of concern for them. Gardaí also actively engage with representative and advocacy groups to support minority and diverse communities in Ireland.

In addition to tackling all offenses under the Criminal Justice (Hate Offences) Act 2024, the Department administers a series of funds to support anti-racism and integration initiatives around the country.

Ireland’s National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) represents a national level, State-led, co-ordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in Ireland. It is intended that the actions will have a significant positive impact on all minority ethnic communities and faith-based groups.

The Ireland Against Racism Fund enables non-government and community organisations to provide projects and local initiatives that combat racism and promote racial equality. To date, 57 projects have received funding amounting to €2.4 million under the scheme.

The Integration Fund supports organisations to carry out integration projects at a national, regional or local level. Organisations eligible to apply include local community groups, charities, faith-based groups, formal and informal schools and cultural organisations.

The Fund combines two previously run funds – the International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF). Since their inception, both funds have provided close to €10m in funding to over 1,000 projects across the country.

Finally, the Programme for Government 2025 provides a commitment to developing a new Migration and Integration Strategy for Ireland, detailing how we intend to meet the demands and the opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade. Work is well advanced on this project, with a view to the Strategy being launched next year.