Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 30 March 2023
54. Deputy Brian Stanley asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the actions his Department is taking to support those still in direct provision who have been naturalised to exit the system and integrate into society. [15170/23]
View answerAt the end of February 2023, there were 5,060 people with status (PWS) living in accommodation provided by the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS).
International Protection applicants (IPAs) who have been granted an international protection status or a permission to remain have the same access to housing supports and services as Irish and EEA nationals.
There are a number of supports available to PWS. The Department has a specific team in IPAS who work in collaboration with DePaul, the Peter McVerry Trust, officials in the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage and the County and City Management Association to collectively support PWS, to access housing options.
Those in IP Accommodation may be entitled to the Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) – the tools of Homeless HAP including the place finder service where applicable are available to PWS once the Local Authority (LA) has assessed them as eligible for such.
DePaul and Peter McVerry Trust give assistance as required to households with housing applications, property searches, interviews, viewings. They liaise with the appropriate Local Authority contact to discuss local arrangements for processing of deposits, advance rent and scheme administration.
They also support the person’s integration into the community by providing information about vocational and training courses, CV preparation and aid with medical issues.
Earlier this year my Department launched The Communities Integration Fund (CIF) where €500,000 will be made available to local community-based projects nationwide to support the integration of migrants. Within the CIF, grants of up to €5,000 will be allocated to successful organisations to support integration initiatives.
