AQW 2254/22-27

Mr John Blair
Alliance Party
South Antrim

Tabled Date: 28/06/2022
Answered On Date: 07/09/2022
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities for her assessment of the adequacy of accommodation available to refugees with disabilities in Northern Ireland.

Revised Answer:

The Executive Office have strategic responsibility for refugees and asylum seekers and coordinate our response with the Home Office.

My Department is responsible for the operational delivery of specific refugee resettlement programmes such as the former Syrian Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Scheme, the Afghan Relocations and Assistance Policy and the Afghan Citizens Resettlement Scheme.

The Housing Executive inspects all properties made available under these schemes to ensure they are of an appropriate standard and size prior to their being offered. Where the Housing Executive is made aware in advance that an individual has a disability, that also forms part of the initial matching process. Where, after arrival, accommodation is found to be unsuitable for any reason all possible measures are taken to address these concerns as quickly as possible.