Funding - EU - ERF

MEMBER STATE:	Ireland
FUND:	European Refugee Fund
RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY:	Office of the Minister for Integration
PERIOD COVERED:	2008 - 2013

1. SITUATION IN THE MEMBER STATE

A description of the baseline situation in the Member State in the policy field covered by the Fund's objectives

1.1. The national situation and the migratory flows affecting it

Prior to the mid-1990s the number of asylum applications made in Ireland was insignificant. From 1996 on, numbers started to increase considerably, reaching a high point of 11,634 in 2002. This has been followed by reducing annual numbers, the total for 2007 being 3985. The following are the statistics for recent years.

Year	Applications	Granted at first instance	Refused	Granted on appeal	Refused
2001	10,325	380	2,113	432	1,778
2002	11,634	901	2,818	938	3,174
2003	7,900	411	1,908	825	3,405
2004	4,766	403	2,451	752	5,109
2005	4,323	473	1,261	640	3,963
2006	4,314	398	793	267	1,655
2007	3,985	368	2,123	220	1,321

In Ireland, the granting or withholding of refugee status is governed by the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended, which gives effect to Ireland’s obligations under the 1951 Geneva Convention and the related 1967 protocol.


Ireland also accepts a number of persons for resettlement in response to a humanitarian crisis at the request of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. To date Ireland has accepted approximately 730 such refugees.

IMPLEMENTATION OF EU DIRECTIVES/REGULATIONS.

Council Regulation (EC) 343/2003, Council Regulation (EC) 2725/2000, Council Regulation (EC) 407/2002

These instruments, as Regulations, are directly applicable in Irish Law. In addition, the following orders were made for the purpose of giving full effect to the Dublin system here: Statutory Instrument (SI) 423 of 2003 and SI 500 of 2004.

Council Directive 2001/55/EC

New legislation was not required to transpose this measure.

Council Directive 2004/83/EC

This was transposed by SI 518 of 2006 to the extent that it was not already implemented by existing legislation.

Council Directive 2005/85/EC

This is implemented by existing legislation and administrative practice.

THE REFUGEE APPLICATIONS PROCEDURE

The Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner (ORAC) and the Refugee Appeals Tribunal (RAT) are both statutorily independent offices established under the Refugee Act, 1996, as amended.

An application by an asylum seeker for refugee status is dealt with in the first instance by the ORAC. A negative recommendation to the Minister by the ORAC may be appealed to the RAT who in turn will issue its decision on the appeal. Subsequently based on the recommendation of the ORAC or the decision of the RAT, the application is submitted to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform who either grants or refuses the application.

ENTITLEMENTS OF APPLICANTS FOR REFUGEE STATUS IN IRELAND

An applicant for refugee status has a number of entitlements in Ireland.

a	Each applicant is provided, where necessary and possible, with interpretation services to enable them to make their application.

a

Each applicant is entitled to seek legal assistance when making their application. In this regard the Refugee Legal Service, which is an independent body and part of the Legal Aid Board (the statutory body responsible for the provision of legal aid and advice on civil law matters to persons unable to fund such services from their own resources), provides such a service to applicants who seek it. Each applicant is advised of their legal right in this regard and of the address of the Refugee Legal Service.

a	Each applicant is provided directly with accommodation by the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) in one of its accommodation centres. While an applicant is free to seek his or her own accommodation they are not entitled to support with their rent payments if they do so.

a	On making an application for refugee status, the applicant is provided with full details of their social welfare and health entitlements in an information pack.

Confidentiality of Information provided.

All details provided by an applicant with their application are treated in confidence. However, information may be disclosed to other public bodies which may be dealing with the applicant such as Government Departments and agencies, including immigration authorities, An Garda Síochána (the Irish

Police), local authorities as well as the UNHCR to enable these bodies to carry out their functions. Some information may also be provided to other countries operating the Dublin II Regulation/Dublin Convention for the purpose of operating these arrangements.

Obligations of an Applicant for Refugee Status.

There are a number of obligations to which an applicant is subject, the two most important of which are to keep the ORAC informed of their up-to-date address and to co-operate fully with the investigation procedures.

Application for Refugee Status.

An applicant for Refugee Status will be asked to complete an application form which covers the applicant, his/her children who are minors and any dependents. An applicant will then be called for an initial interview after which they will be advised of their right to seek legal assistance and consult with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.

Applicants and their dependent are required to be photographed and fingerprinted. These may be disclosed to relevant Irish authorities and asylum authorities in other countries which may have responsibility for the application under the Dublin II Regulation/Dublin Convention

In the case of a minor who arrives at the frontiers of the State unaccompanied, the Health Service Executive is advised of this. The Health Service Executive may, in turn, decide to apply for a declaration as a refugee on his or her behalf

Investigation of applications for Refugee Status.

The Minister may, by order, designate certain countries as being safe countries of origin. Where an applicant is from such a country he/she will be advised accordingly and shall be presumed not to be a refugee. In addition should it appear to the Refugee Applications Commissioner that an applicant sought asylum in another country which was party to the Geneva Convention a similar presumption will be made.

With regard to the investigation itself, the applicant will be given a time and venue for their interview and every effort will be made, where requested, to obtain the services of a translator. The purpose of this interview is to establish the full details of an applicant for refugee status. To this end, an applicant is obliged to provide all relevant information, including all documentary material which he or she may have.

If an applicant wishes to be accompanied by a legal representative, he or she will normally be allowed to observe the interview and to make any points considered necessary at the end of the interview.
Assessments and Reports of applications.

Once the interview has been completed the application is assessed taking into account all the relevant factors of the application and the credibility of the applicant.

Following this a report will be completed in relation to the application. This report will refer to the matters raised by the applicant in writing and orally at his or her interview. This report also takes into consideration such other matters as are deemed appropriate such as, for example, information in relation to the situation in the applicant’s country of origin, or any representations which may have been made by the UNHCR in connection with the application.

The report will also include a recommendation as to whether or not the applicant should receive a declaration that he or she is a refugee. A copy of this report is sent to the applicant.

Appeals against negative recommendations.

There are a number of types of negative recommendation which may be given. The first is where the application is withdrawn or has been deemed to have been withdrawn. In the circumstances of such a negative recommendation from the Refugee Applications Commissioner an appeal is not allowed.

The second is where a negative recommendation is given by the Refugee Applications Commissioner. Then the applicant may appeal to the RAT within 15 working days of the issuing of the notice. The applicant is furnished with the reasons for the recommendation and any material which was relied upon in coming to the recommendation. Unless requested by the applicant the appeal will be dealt with by the Tribunal without an oral hearing.

The third is where the Refugee Applications Commissioner’s negative recommendation includes amongst its findings any one of the additional findings listed under section 13(6) of the Refugee Act, 1996 – for example, a finding that the applicant showed either no basis or a minimal basis for the contention that he was a refugee or findings of a specified kind indicating lack of merit in the application. In such instance the applicant has 10 working days in which to appeal and the appeal is determined without an oral hearing.

Reception of asylum seekers

After asylum seekers make their application for asylum in the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner they are offered accommodation in a reception centre in Dublin for a period of approximately ten to fourteen days. During this period asylum seekers are given access to health, legal and welfare services. Asylum seekers are then relocated to an accommodation centre outside the Dublin area.

Asylum seekers who are accommodated in the direct provision system (i.e. who are not providing their own accommodation) are required to reside or remain at their accommodation centre while their application for asylum is being considered in the State. Asylum seekers can only move from their accommodation centre with the permission of the Reception and Integration Agency and only in circumstances where the Reception and Integration Agency is in a position to offer them alternative accommodation. Failure to comply with the requirement to reside or remain at the accommodation centre allocated to them has serious consequences for their application for refugee status and
1. Shall be an offence with a penalty as specified in section 9(7) of the Refugee Act, 1996 (as amended) and
2. May result in their application for asylum being deemed to be withdrawn and refused.
The Agency has a total of seventy-one centres consisting of the following:

• Three Reception Centres: All located in Dublin.
• Sixty four Direct Provision Accommodation Centres: Located throughout twenty four counties.
• Eight Self-catering Accommodation Centres: Six are located in Dublin.

The seventy five centres consist of a mixture of State-owned and commercial and consist of hotels, guesthouses, hostels, former Convents/Nursing Homes, mobile home sites, system-built facilities and apartments.

All accommodation for asylum seekers is required to comply and operate in accordance with the statutory requirements of local authorities and State agencies in relation to bedroom capacity, food hygiene, water supply, etc.

Resettlement

Since 1999, in conjunction with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (U.N.H.C.R.), Ireland participates in the resettlement programme for certain refugees considered at risk by the U.N.H.C.R. To date 730 persons have been admitted under the programme.

Ireland endeavours to use the resettlement programme strategically and supports the UNHCR efforts to resettle the most vulnerable refugee cases within their remit for whom voluntary repatriation or local integration is not an option.

Persons admitted as part of a group undertake an 8 week orientation programme in the National Orientation and Training Centre to enable them to adjust to life in Ireland.

During the period of residency in the orientation centre, special pre-entry to school programmes are put in place for the children aged 6-12 years and 13-17 years.

A special orientation programme is also put in place for persons over 17 years of age. The orientation programme is designed to provide basic information about life in Ireland, rights and responsibilities, cultural differences, real and unreal expectations, personal development and confidence building. The programme includes information on how to access services, information of diet and nutrition in the Irish context, how to support your child in school, money management, law and order, Children first programme and using financial institutions etc. The programme includes linked language training. In 2007, a volunteer programme was also put in place.

When this initial 8 week period is over, the persons are resettled in a location specially selected for that purpose. When selecting a resettlement location, care is taken to ensure that services are available to meet the needs of the group to be admitted. No more that 15 families are resettled in bigger towns (pop 10,000 approx) and, to avoid isolation, no less that 5 families are resettled in any one location.

The local authority, supported by the Office of the Minister for Integration (OMI), coordinates resettlement and long term integration at a local level.

Resettled persons live in private rented accommodation in the community. They receive assistance from the State towards the cost of renting the accommodation.

Children attend local schools in age appropriate classes. A full range of supports have been put in place by the Department of Education of Science for non-English speaking children in both primary and post primary schools.

Resettled refugees have access to health services in the same way as an Irish person.

Following resettlement in the community, a full language and training programme is put in place for 20 hours per week (4 hours x 5 days) for a period of one year.

While Ireland adopts a mainstream approach and service providers are expected to provide services from within their own resources, it is recognised that resettlement refugees are a particularly vulnerable group and funding is provided for targeted initiatives in the early stages of resettlement. Care is taken at all times not to build dependency on targeted initiatives.

Ireland has a very active voluntary sector that works closely with service providers at a local level to support and befriend resettled refugees.

The resettlement process is supported and monitored for a period of approx 18 months from date of arrival. In the initial 3-4 months, support is provided to the receiving communities, or, to an individual in exceptional circumstances, by the Resettlement Team who also responds to emergencies as they arise during the first year.

Returns

Repatriation Unit of the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) is responsible for considering the applications of failed asylum seekers under Section 3(6) of the Immigration Act, 1999 for leave to remain in the State or repatriation to their countries of origin. It is also responsible for actively encouraging voluntary repatriation to the country of origin. The Unit is responsible for giving effect to the transfer of persons under the EU Dublin Regulation to the appropriate EU State for their asylum applications to be determined there and for giving effect to the implementation of a bilateral readmission agreement with Nigeria.

One of the options open to persons faced with the prospect of having a deportation order issued in respect of them is that they can seek to return voluntarily to their country of origin. The clear benefit of such an arrangement is that it enables such a person to return to the State at a future date if they establish a legal basis for doing so whereas a person who is the subject of a deportation order is legally obliged to leave the State and thereafter remain outside the State. Persons who agree to return voluntarily to their countries of origin can obtain financial assistance towards doing so through the International Organisation for Migration (IOM) who normally pay the return airfare of such persons and can also assist the persons concerned re-integrate in their countries of origin by advising on training and employment opportunities etc. The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform also directly assists persons who wish to return voluntarily to their countries of origin by providing administrative and other supports to persons requesting such assistance.

1.2. The measures undertaken by the Member State so far

A range of initiatives have been undertaken to address challenges in area of migration management which are comprehensive and varied and include the establishment of new administrative structures; the enhancement of the legislative base as well as the development of ongoing strategic policy and operational strategies across the whole area of immigration (asylum, immigration, border control, anti-trafficking, citizenship, visas and returns).

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) was established in 2005 in order to provide a “one stop shop” in relation to asylum, immigration, citizenship and visas. The INIS also facilitates a whole of government approach to immigration and asylum issues which enables a more efficient service to be provided in these areas.

The ORAC and the RAT were established to process applications for asylum in line with international best practice and the Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) established to administer the direct provision system for asylum seekers and, originally the integration of refugees into our society. Integration of all persons with status is, since 2007, the function of the Office of the Minister for Integration. That Minister is accredited to three Government Departments which have major functions in relation to integration – Justice, Equality and Law reform, Education and Science, and Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs.

The RIA is responsible, inter alia, for the provision of accommodation and ancillary services to asylum seekers through the Government policy of direct provision. The RIA is a cross-departmental Agency which coordinates service provision in areas including health, education and welfare. The RIA is currently accommodating almost 7,000 people in 60 centres in 22 counties.

In May 2005, the Government decided to increase Ireland's annual quota of resettlement refugees from 10 families (around 40 persons) to 200 persons. Decisions on nationalities and source countries are made following close consultation between the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform, the Minster for Foreign Affairs and the UNHCR who advise annually on their priorities.

As indicated above, the Minister for Integration has responsibility for the integration of the target groups of this Fund when they receive status as well as the integration of other immigrants. The Minister has a cross-Departmental mandate to develop, drive and co-ordinate integration policy across Government Departments, agencies and services. He is responsible for the development of a long-term national policy on integration which will be informed by widespread consultation, properly structured objective research and international experience and best practice. Among other things, the Office of the Minister has responsibility for the administration of European funds (Refugee Fund, Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and Social Fund) and Ireland’s resettlement programme. In May 2008, the Minister launched Migration Nation – Statement on Integration Strategy and Diversity Management. This sets out his approach to his mandate.

Among the key actions it envisages are the following:

a	A streamlined asylum process which progressively reduces inordinate administrative and legal delays.

a	Specific funding from Government and Philanthropic sector to support diversity management in Local Authorities, political parties, sporting bodies and faith-based groups who deal with migrant needs on a daily basis.

a	Citizenship and long-term residency to be contingent on proficiency of skills in the spoken language of the country.

a	More targeted support for teachers and parents dealing with diversity in the classroom or school setting.

a	Enhanced institutional and legislative measures to be in place to combat exploitation or discrimination against migrants in the context of the Government’s implementation of ‘Towards 2016’.

a	New structures to assist and reflect the changed dynamic of migration into Ireland, i.e. a standing Commission on Integration, a Ministerial Council on Integration and a Task Force to establish future policy needs.

The key principles which will inform and underpin State policy with regard to Integration are as follows:

a	A partnership approach between the Government and NGOs, organisations, as well as civil society bodies, to deepen and enhance the opportunities for Integration.

a	A strong link between integration policy and wider state social inclusion measures, strategies and initiatives.

a	A clear public policy focus that avoids the creation of parallel societies, communities and urban ghettoes, i.e. a mainstream approach to service delivery to migrants.

a	A commitment to effective local delivery mechanisms that align services to migrants with those for indigenous communities.

An inter-departmental committee has been established, representative of the Departments and Offices with a significant role in integration and that will meet at regular intervals to review activities in that regard and to resolve issues which arise.

1.3. The total national resources allocated

Costs incurred by the Exchequer in the provision of services to asylum seekers in 2000-2007


The above table gives the estimated costs to the State of providing services to asylum seekers. There is a qualification which applies, however, as in some cases Departments do not differentiate between the cost of services to asylum seekers and the cost of services to other non-nationals. This is principally true of the costs incurred by the Department of Education and Science in the provision of additional resources to schools attended by non-national children with significant English language difficulties. These costs range from €18.27m in 2003 to €76.13m in 2007. Subject to this, however, the figures give an order of magnitude of the costs involved. In addition to education, these costs would cover items such as: asylum seeker accommodation, the Refugee Legal Service, some social welfare payments and health costs.

It is not possible to quantify the overall cost of State services for all target groups of the Fund as public bodies would generally not differentiate between these groups and other non-nationals in the provision of services.

2. ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS IN THE MEMBER STATE

2.1. The requirements in the Member State in relation to the baseline situation

Ireland's requirements in relation to the baseline situation described above are that we continue with the measures currently being implemented in the area but improve them and make them more efficient and enhance our integration efforts in respect of members of the target groups of the ERF Decision. Specifically, the following need to be done.

In line with a commitment in the Programme for Government 2007-2012, we need to develop a single procedure for those who apply for protection. The Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, which is currently before the National Parliament, provides for a streamlined process which will ensure the present high quality of protection decisions will be maintained while at the same time providing a more speedy determination to those seeking asylum. (Please see final two paragraphs of this section for further information on this.)

[a	Investigate applications from those who seek a declaration for refugee status and to issue appropriate recommendations to the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform on such applications.

a	Achieve the full and efficient application of the Dublin II Regulation having due regard to the criteria for determining the country responsible for processing asylum applications.

a	Provide suitable accommodation for asylum seekers.

a	Assist local support groups established to befriend and help asylum seekers.

a	Select and admit 200 persons per year for resettlement.

a	Implement the resettlement programme in local areas.

a	Implement effectively transnational projects in the area of resettlement

a	Promote the integration into Irish society of refugees and their families, persons given subsidiary protection and their families and resettled persons.

The single procedure referred to above means that the protection applicant will be asked to set out all grounds, including protection grounds under the Geneva Convention and Directive 2004/83/EC, on which he or she wishes to remain in the State and all those grounds will be investigated by the Minister. At present, the application for refugee status is examined first by ORAC and, if appealed, by RAT and, if this application/appeal fails, other grounds for leave to remain in the State are examined by the Minister if the person makes an application for that purpose. This is a multi-stage process whereas the single procedure will result in a more streamlined and efficient system.

The possible outcomes of the single procedure are as follows: first, the person is allowed to remain in the State on refugee grounds or subsidiary protection grounds; second, the person is allowed to remain in the State on other, discretionary, grounds; or third, the person is not allowed to remain in the State and is thus required to leave or be removed.

2.2. The operational objectives of the Member State designed to meet its requirements

The following are operational objectives designed to meet the requirements identified.

a	Achieve optimum productivity in processing applications for a declaration for refugee status within minimum timeframes and in the order of priority designated by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

a	Process all cases coming within the Dublin II Regulation in an effective, efficient and fair manner and liaise appropriately with other EU States to achieve effective implementation of the Regulation.

a	Prepare and plan for the introduction of the single procedure referred to above. This will involve enactment of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008 and significant organizational change.

a	Accommodate asylum seekers at reception centres in Dublin for an initial period of seven to ten days for the purposes of orientation, information provision, voluntary health screening, needs assessment and assistance with the first stages of asylum applications.

a	Disperse asylum seekers from reception centres in Dublin to accommodation centres around the country.

a

Source suitable accommodation and sites throughout Ireland for accommodating asylum seekers, arrange for the management of accommodation centres, monitor their operation on an on-going basis, co-ordinate the provision of services at the centres and provide training and support to proprietors and management of centres.

a	Examine proposals for resettlement

a	Organise missions to select persons for resettlement.

a	Liaise with the IOM and the UNHCR on resettlement.

a	Establish new funding lines to promote integration of newcomers (including refugees, persons enjoying subsidiary protection and resettled persons). The recipient bodies will be local authorities, political parties, sporting bodies and faith-based groups.

a

Establish a Ministerial Council which will (a) advise the Minister for Integration on issues faced by immigrants, and in particular will facilitate immigrants themselves in communicating their concerns to government, (b) examine the issues and challenges associated with integration, and (c) review progress in the area on a regular basis. The remit of this Council `will cover foreign nationals generally including the target groups of this Fund (insofar as their stay here is of a stable nature).

PART 2

3. STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES

A description of how the Fund contributes to meeting the requirements, which priorities have been chosen and why
In this strategy, it is proposed to implement all priorities set out in Commission Decision 2007/815/EC. The first two priorities are, in any event, compulsory under that Decision while the third priority is of interest to Ireland in view of our resettlement programme.

Priority 1: Implementation of the principles and measures set out in the Community acquis in the field of asylum, including those related to integration objectives

Reception conditions

An objective of the strategy is to improve reception conditions for members of the target groups of the Fund.

The target group, as indicated, are persons referred to in Article 6 of Decision No 573/2007/EC.
Actions will include projects to improve the capacity of service providers to deliver services to refugees and asylum seekers, to provide support to asylum seekers during the asylum process, to improve the quality of health of refugees and asylum seekers. Projects may address specific priority 1 of the Commission Decision on the strategic guidelines by dealing with the special needs of vulnerable people.
Outputs: number of projects for these purposes; number of persons benefiting; numbers in vulnerable categories benefiting.
Outcomes: better reception supports for asylum seekers and refugees.
Impact: Improved quality of life for members of the target groups.

Integration

An objective of the strategy will be to promote the integration into Irish society of refugees, persons enjoying subsidiary protection and resettled persons in terms of helping them become familiar with Irish society, values, institutions, public services etc.

The target group consists of the aforementioned persons.

Actions will include civic orientation courses and projects to develop knowledge of public services on the part of members of the target group and their ability to access such services and to improve the capacity of service providers to respond to members of the target group.
Outputs:number of courses and projects organized; number and categories of members of the target group participating.
Outcomes: knowledge of Irish society, services, institutions etc. enhanced.
Impact: members of target group better adapted to take part in Irish life.

Priority 2: Development of reference tools and evaluation methodologies to assess and improve the quality of procedures for the examination of claims for international protection and to underpin administrative structures in an effort to respond to the challenges brought forward by enhanced practical cooperation with other member States

An objective of the strategy will be to improve the asylum process by co-operation with other Member States in relation improving information on countries and regions of origin.

Actions will include cooperating with the asylum services of one or two other Member States, in particular in relation to compiling, analysing, assessing and sharing information on countries or regions of origin. The project(s) address specific priority 3 of the Commission Decision on the strategic guidelines.
Outputs:number of projects organised with other Member States; extent of information shared.
Outcomes: improved capacity on the part of the asylum services concerned.
Impact: good decisions on applications for protection.

Priority 3: Actions helping to enhance responsibility sharing between member States and third countries

An objective of the strategy will be to enhance the resettlement programme at present being implemented in cooperation with the UNHCR.

The target group will be persons resettled under that programme.

Actions will include projects which will improve supports in the communities in which persons are resettled, for example by providing interpretation and translation services. Actions will in some cases concern persons from a region designated for the implementation of a Regional Protection Programme and so will address specific priority 1 of the Commission Decision on the strategic guidelines.
Outputs: number of projects assisted; number of resettled persons benefiting.
Outcome: better supports for resettled persons.
Impact: resettled persons facilitated in their new community.

3. COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS

European Community

The Office of the Minister for Integration is the responsible authority for this Programme. It discharges the same role in respect of the European Integration Fund and is thus well-positioned to ensure complementarity of the activities carried out under each Fund.

This Office is also a public beneficiary body in respect of a project, Employment for People from Immigrant Communities, co-financed by the European Social Fund. This project, being directly concerned with preparing immigrants for employment, complements the actions under this Programme which focus on other areas of integration. The scope of the project covers refugees, persons enjoying subsidiary protection and resettled persons.

The responsible authority is a participant in the monitoring committee for the European Social Fund. Additionally, a member of the responsible authority’s staff regularly meets with the board of the beneficiary body under this initiative.

National

The Programme for Government 2007-2012, agreed by the political parties which formed the Government, contains a commitment to effective integration and sets out a number of actions including the development of a national integration policy and the appointment of a Minister of State to implement the policy.
The statement on integration strategy and diversity management, Migration Nation, has already been referred to. The strategy set out in this Programme is part of this broader approach to integration set out in Migration Nation.

Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. Pobal is the delegated authority for this Fund. Since it manages programmes on behalf of the Government and the EU, it will be in a position to ensure compatibility with other programmes.

Regional

Irish local authorities are increasingly concerning themselves with integration of the new communities, whether they have come through the asylum process or otherwise. Some are researching and publishing strategies in that regard. The strategy in this Programme is complementary with these activities.

5. FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY

5.1 The publication of the Programme

The programme will be published on www.justice.ie and on the website of the Office of the Minister for Integration when it is operative shortly. It will be circulated to non governmental and other relevant organisations. A Call for proposals will be published in the national media.

5.2 The approach chosen to implement the principle of partnership

The Responsible Authority consulted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the drafting of the Multi-Annual Programme. The voluntary sector, non–governmental organizations and Partnership Companies were also consulted.

A partnership committee will be established to oversee implementation of this Programme. This will include representatives of the implementing authorities for the Fund and the European Integration Fund, the managing authority of the European Social Fund, Pobal and the NGO sector.

6. INDICATIVE FINANCING PLAN

6.1 Community Contribution

Comments on the figures

Estimated fixed amount under Article 13(3) of the Decision (000s of euros) in addition to the above Community contribution are:

6.2 Overall financing plan

Comments on the figures

Estimated fixed amount under Article 13(3) of the Decision (000s of euros) in addition to the above Community contribution are:


John Hurley
[signature of the responsible person]



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