AQW 4394/16-21

Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim

Tabled Date: 30/09/2016
Answered On Date: 18/10/2016
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister what action is being taken to (i) accommodate refugees currently in Northern Ireland; and (ii) accommodate more refugees to come to Northern Ireland.

Answer:

We have committed to receive further groups of refugees on a phased basis under the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VPR). Officials are in ongoing discussion with the Home Office about the arrival of further groups. Under this Scheme we have been accommodating refugees in privately owned rental properties. This will continue.

Anyone arriving here independently outside the VPR Scheme who has made a claim for asylum and who is destitute, is eligible for accommodation provided by the Home Office.

Prior to the arrival of each group of refugees under the VPR Scheme, the Operational Planning Group take a range of factors into consideration as to where refugees will be housed. The priority is to ensure that we have the appropriate services in place, including accommodation, health services and education. It is important that all plans, including settlement locations, are based on the ability to meet refugee needs and to help them to integrate.

People who have arrived outside the VPR Scheme and who are granted refugee status by the Home Office are entitled to apply for public sector housing.