2267. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration the resources and supports provided to local authorities and communities affected by the accommodation and processing of persons admitted to the State through international protection and immigration procedures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [60630/26]

My Department runs a number of funding schemes to support communities and enable migrant integration in Ireland.

In 2025, the Integration Fund was established combining the former International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and Communities Integration Fund (CIF). The results of the 2025 Integration Fund were announced in November 2025, with 117 projects receiving a total of €3.6 million in funding. Separately, the National Integration Fund (NIF), a multi-annual funding programme open to organisations operating at regional and national level. The results of the NIF 2023 call were announced in April 2024, with 18 projects awarded grants totalling more than €2.8 million over a three-year period. Building on these initiatives, the 2026 Integration Fund now includes a new multi-annual funding stream that replaces the NIF. The 2026 fund closed to applicants on 2 September 2026, with €4.5 million made available, and the results will be announced later this year.

My Department also manages two EU funding schemes aimed at migrant integration. Firstly, my Department is the managing authority for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF). AMIF provides a range of supports for International Protection applicants, programme refugees, individuals granted Temporary Protection and other third country nationals arriving in Ireland. Since 2023, two open calls for proposals were published for projects suitable for funding under the AMIF 2021-2027 national programme. Arising from these two Open Call for Proposals, €11.5m of grant funding has been awarded to 19 successful projects to provide reception and integration supports and rehabilitative services to third country nationals.

The second EU funding scheme to assist migrants is the Integration and Employment of Migrants action under the European Social Fund Plus (ESF+) 2021-2027 programme. This action is aimed at legally resident migrants who are experiencing barriers to participation and employment because of language difficulties, lack of training or social exclusion. A total allocation of €5.4m was assigned to this action for the period 2021-2027, which is now fully committed. In 2022, seven projects were approved total. funding of €2.7m for a three-year period. In December 2025, a further eight projects were approved for funding to the value of €2.7m.

Under the Local Integration Model, my Department funds teams of staff in the 31 Local Authorities to provide orientation and community integration supports to a range of humanitarian migrants, including individuals granted Temporary Protection. The Model was developed by the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in conjunction with the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage, the County and City Management Association, and the LGMA. Responsibility transferred my Department in 2025.

The Model makes use of existing organisations and initiatives, supported by co-ordination and collaboration across government bodies, agencies and NGOs. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) is responsible for coordinating and supporting the Local Authorities in the delivery of integration services.

The approach rests heavily on interrelated and complementary work carried out by a DJHAM-funded network of Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) and Community Integration Fora (CIFs) in each Local Authority across the country, via programmes aimed at supporting the long-term integration into local communities of:

• Individuals granted Temporary Protection

• Applicants for International Protection

• Persons granted Refugee status, Subsidiary Protection status, or Permission to Remain

• Refugees resettled under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP)

LAITs provide information, advice and guidance to facilitate access to supports required to participate in Irish life and live independently. They provide connection to services, e.g. healthcare, English language supports, employment and volunteering opportunities, that can help new arrivals to live independently in their community. LAITs do not replace mainstream service provision but support persons in accessing services appropriate to their needs.

Communication and collaboration between the actors in the integration space is facilitated by a Community Integration Forum (CIF) in each Local Authority. CIFs bring together a network of Government and Non-Government Organisations, voluntary and community groups, including LAITs, to collaborate on a community-led integration approach.

CIFs are chaired at a senior level within the Local Authority and provide strategic oversight for the promotion of integration, social inclusion and civic participation of the relevant cohorts.

My Department's Community Engagement Team (CET) was established in late 2023 to engage directly with elected representatives, local authorities, An Garda Síochána, community members, and other service providers in advance of a new accommodation centre opening.

The CET team also links with other stakeholders outside of immediate openings of centres to build relationships and networks with key groups. This includes meetings with Community Integration Fora, Local Development Companies (LDCs) and other non-governmental organisations.

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 later this year.