Irish Refugee Protection Programme EMN May 2020 The

Irish Refugee Protection Programme EMN May 2020

The IRPP was established by Government Decision of September 2015 in response to the global humanitarian migration crisis which saw large numbers of migrants arriving through Greece and Italy. The Government decision committed Ireland to accept 4, 000 persons under various strands of the programme, including the EU Relocation Mechanism and UNHCR-led Refugee Resettlement Programme - a commitment that was largely met by the end of 2019. 2 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

Arrivals of refugees under Irish Refugee Protection Programme • Government decision led by Minister for Justice and Equality in consultation with the Minister of State and the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade having regard to humanitarian context, international obligations and interests of the State. • Delivered jointly by all Departments as a ‘whole of government’ programme • Overseen by a Taskforce chaired by the Minister of State, Department of Justice and Equality includes Government Departments, UNHCR, and NGOs supporting refugees. • Implemented the Integrated Service Delivery team in the Department of Justice Body Levelby One and Equality. Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five 3 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

New Phase of IRPP 2020 to 2023 The new phase of the IRPP is being developed in the context of continuing humanitarian crises in a number of countries, and the 74. 8 million people of concern to the UNHCR globally. The first mission took place to Beirut in March when 85 families ( approx. 400+ people ) were to be interviewed, having been selected for interview by UNHCR. Covid 19 interrupted the mission but 227 Body Level One people are Bodycleared Level Two to travel from those interviewed before Body Level Three mandatory departure of Irish Selection Mission team. Body Level Four Body Level Five 4 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

Refugee resettlement - essential element of Ireland’s commitment to the Global Compact on Refugees. 2020 - 2023 Ireland will welcome up to 2, 900 refugees through a combination of resettlement and community sponsorship (17/12/19) The new phase of the IRPP will see 650 UNHCR resettlements in 2020, 700 in 2021, 750 in 2022 and 800 in 2023. The arrivals will largely comprise Syrian refugees resident in Jordan and Lebanon, along with a pilot group of 150 Eritrean refugees resident in Ethiopia. The EC will provide funding of € 9 million to support the resettlement of 995 people between 2020 and June 2021. 5 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

Community Sponsorship Ireland • Pilot phase has concluded and has now entered implementation phase following an evaluation report by Dr Anthony Finn • 15 November 2019 - Cork conference on supporting/developing Community Sponsorship, hosted in partnership with NASC and ‘Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship’ Canada. Followed by national launch of Community Sponsorship Ireland. • 8 towns – Dunshaughlin, Lismore, Carrigtwohill, Midleton, Clane, Kinsale, Body Rathgar Level One and Kells – have welcomed their respective families Body Level Two 30 individuals. • Body Level Three Body Level Four Additional 8 – 12 groups Body Level Five are at various stages of registration 6 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

IRPP progress on arrivals and housing todate…

3, 206 IRPP arrivals from 2015 to 2019 ( Does not include IHAP ) 818 596 Body Level One Body Level Two 163 Body Level Three Body Level Four 2015 Body Level Five 2016 8 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality 2017 955 674 2018 2019

Refugee Journey Accompanied on journey to Resettlement by ISD team • Interview in asylum country • Arrival in Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) • Resettlement • Citizenship Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five 9 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

Snapshot of arrivals 53% male Aged 0 -4 58% children female 16% 17% 10% 15% Adults Aged 0 -4 Aged 5 -12 26% Aged 5 -12 Aged 1317 47% 42% Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three families Body Level Four Body Level Five 89 10 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality 48% Adults 5 average family size Aged 1317 52% children

Current situation – May 2020 • 100 families in EROCs • 59 families assigned housing in 6 counties • 227 people security cleared and ready to travel to Ireland • 768 people to be offered Resettlement by June 2021 Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five 11 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

IRPP 1 2, 473 people resettled in community More than 84% of arrivals to-date have been housed in communities in 23 counties: Local Authorities • 2, 327 people housed in 22 counties • More than 500 families Irish Red Cross • 116 housed in 13 counties, majority of whom are single persons Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five Community Sponsorship • 30 housed across 5 counties 12 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

Challenges • Various challenges posed by Covid 19 • The availability of long-term housing in the community • The capacity of EROCs to accommodate new arrivalls • Numbers applying for international protection in the State • Language acquisition Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Body Level Four Body Level Five • Employment activation 13 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

A final thought. . . Your attitude is more important than your ability Your motives more important than your method Your courage is more important than your cleverness And…always have your heart in the right place Body Level One Body Level Two Body Level Three Dermot Earley, Chief of Staff, Irish Defence Forces Body Level Four Body Level Five 14 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality

15 An Roinn Dlí agus Cirt agus Comhionannais | Department of Justice and Equality