AQW 4722/22-27

Ms Connie Egan
Alliance Party
North Down

Tabled Date: 14/10/2022
Answered On Date: 02/05/2024
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities what actions are being taken by her Department to support and enable the integration of Ukrainian refugees in society.

Answer:

Responsibility for all matters relating to the resettlement of Ukrainian nationals displaced by war transferred to The Executive Office from 1 April 2024. The Executive Office (TEO) holds strategic responsibility for refugees and chairs the Strategic Planning Group on Refugees and Asylum Seekers. The transfer of responsibilities to one Department, will allow a more cohesive approach to the vital work of resettling and integrating refugees.

Up to 31 March 2024, my Department provided support to Ukrainian Nationals under the UK Homes for Ukraine Scheme. This sponsorship scheme allowed Ukrainian nationals displaced by war to temporarily live in NI and this arrangement also helped them integrate within communities.

Officials from the NI Housing Executive provide support and advice on housing options where, over time, sponsorship arrangements have broken down.

Ukrainian nationals temporarily resettled under the Homes for Ukraine scheme have the same access to public services, including Health & Social Care and benefits as NI citizens. They also have the right to work here for the period of their temporary Visa.