Refugee Resettlement Programme

Tuesday, 8 October 2024

Ceisteanna (465)

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Ceist:

465. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth the number of Palestinian citizens given advance clearance to relocate to Ireland while still in the Palestinian regions under Israeli attack, Gaza and the West Bank in particular, as programme refugees, in the past year; and the number and citizenship of others who have benefitted from the Irish refugee protection programme since October 2020 when he became responsible for administering the programme. [40137/24]

Amharc ar fhreagra

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth

The Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRRP), which was established in 2015, operates on the basis of UNHCR referrals of refugees for consideration for resettlement in Ireland and more recently, a humanitarian scheme for Afghan nationals impacted by the Taliban takeover in 2021.

UNHCR's mandate does not include Palestine Refugees in Gaza, the West Bank, Lebanon, Jordan or the Syrian Arab Republic. This is under UNWRA's mandate.

Over 1,100 people have been resettled in Ireland in the period since I assumed responsibility for administering this Programme. The programme has resettled Syrian and Afghan nationals who were residing in a variety of countries, including Jordan, Lebanon, Iran and Pakistan.