International protection communication
Deputy Nolan calls for better resourcing and communication around international protection accommodation so communities get accurate information quickly. The Tánaiste agrees communication needs improvement but says the scale of arrivals is very large and administrative processes must be strengthened.
Allowing speculation and rumour to circulate in any community with respect to where international protection accommodation service centres or any forms of asylum accommodation are going to be located is never a good idea. I am sure the Tánaiste will agree with me on that. To avoid those outcomes, however, we must ensure the Department of integration and its community engagement unit are resourced and staffed to such a degree that it can offer swift, accurate and comprehensive information when questions of this kind are put to it by communities through their constituency TDs. At present, the process is far too slow. The replies at times are misleading. I am concerned about that. I had that experience last week but I am not the only one. An Independent colleague also received a misleading response. That is very concerning, particularly at this level when we have a job to do. Will the Tánaiste ensure that the staffing and resourcing issues necessary to help communities that are living in the shadow of rumours are addressed, particularly with respect to the community engagement unit? I want to be in a position to assist anyone who asks me a question by providing him or her with factual information. However, it has to be clear and concise and not misleading information.
Comment on this
The Deputy has made very fair points about communication. There has been a ramping up in respect of the community engagement teams, additionality and additional resources. The scale of the challenge is enormous and that has to be recognised as well. In January alone, over 2,000 people sought international protection in the country. That is double the average of last year. We have 27,000 people in accommodation. We have to rapidly improve our administrative processes, which we are doing in the Department of Justice, to make sure that those who are genuinely seeking asylum and those who are economically seeking asylum are addressed speedily. There is very rigorous assessment going on. I take the Deputy’s point on communication. The Government acknowledges that. It is continually working to try to improve communication and make sure people have information that is as precise as possible.