AQW 21012/22-27

Ms Paula Bradshaw
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 21/01/2025
Answered On Date: 28/05/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister for Communities to detail any discussions he conducted during 2024 with representative organisations of refugees and people seeking asylum in relation to adequate accommodation.

Answer:

The Executive Office (TEO) is the strategic lead for Refugee resettlement and asylum seekers in Northern Ireland. My Department continues to work with the NIHE and TEO, as appropriate, in relation to accommodation for refugees.

The Home Office is responsible for accommodation for asylum seekers. If asylum seekers are granted refugee status or leave to remain, they become eligible to apply for social housing through the Northern Ireland Housing Executive and they are assessed on their housing need under the Housing Selection Scheme.