AQW 23909/17-22

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 07/10/2021
Answered On Date: 19/10/2021
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister (ii) for an update on the development of a draft Refugee Integration Strategy; and (ii) when the consultation will be launched.

Answer:

We recognise the critical importance of a Refugee Integration Strategy in helping us support our refugees so they can thrive and help us to develop welcoming and diverse communities.

Work has been ongoing to develop a Strategy, in line with our commitment in the Racial Equality Strategy. The draft Strategy has been informed by our experience of the Syrian Refugee Scheme, and by input from sector representatives working directly with asylum seekers and refugees.

We want to hear from refugees and asylum seekers directly to ensure their lived experience informs our final strategy. Given this, a procurement process is underway to secure expertise to engage asylum seekers and refugees. Following this we will launch a formal consultation process, and then bring a final Strategy to the Executive for agreement.