Refugee Integration Strategy: Schoolchildren

Oral Answers to Questions — The Executive Office – in the Northern Ireland Assembly at 2:00 pm on 9 December 2024.

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Photo of Sian Mulholland Sian Mulholland Alliance 2:00, 9 December 2024

5. Ms Mulholland asked the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline any discussions with the Housing Executive in relation to including a requirement on statutory authorities to ensure that children are not moved a significant distance during the school year, in the forthcoming refugee integration strategy. (AQO 1276/22-27)

Photo of Michelle O'Neill Michelle O'Neill Sinn Féin

With your permission, Mr Speaker, junior Minister Reilly will answer that question.

Photo of Aisling Reilly Aisling Reilly Sinn Féin

We welcome the fact that those seeking refuge are no longer being left waiting for lengthy periods for a decision on their asylum cases. The increasingly high number of people moving on as the Home Office deals with the backlog has, unfortunately, necessitated the Housing Executive to place some people in temporary accommodation. We understand that, although that addresses the immediate need for shelter, other needs, such as education, can also be disrupted. The unsuitability of housing and frequent house moves are difficult for people and interrupt their integration journeys. We are considering a revised draft refugee integration strategy and associated delivery framework that recognises those concerns. In parallel with that, our officials chair a move-on coordination group, through which the impact on school placement of moving to temporary accommodation has been highlighted. As a result, a data-sharing agreement is now in place between the Housing Executive and the Education Authority (EA) to help share information in order to, where possible, mitigate and manage concerns on access to education.

Photo of Sian Mulholland Sian Mulholland Alliance

Thank you, junior Minister. Will you clarify what work is being undertaken to assist schools that have to manage pupils who travel significant distances or change school at short notice?

Photo of Aisling Reilly Aisling Reilly Sinn Féin

Our Department does not have statutory responsibility for providing education to refugee and asylum-seeking children, but we are aware that the Education Authority will not start school enrolment for an initial four-week period for children who are living in contingency asylum accommodation or Housing Executive temporary, non-standard accommodation. The Education Authority has advised us that that change was made because families are often in those types of accommodation for short periods and it causes unnecessary disruption for the children and their families if they secure a school place and then move to another school after a few weeks. The Education Authority has assessed that such upheaval is unnecessarily unsettling for the child and is not in their best interests.

The Department of Education and the Education Authority completed a mid-term review of the arrangement in early November and concluded that no change was required. However, the Housing Executive recently advised that the length of stay for those in temporary and non-standard accommodation has increased. The Housing Executive, along with our officials, is following up with the Department of Education and the Education Authority on the implications of that for the current arrangements.

Photo of Deirdre Hargey Deirdre Hargey Sinn Féin

Given that Ministers are still considering the draft refugee integration strategy, will you outline what other work the Department is doing until it comes through?

Photo of Aisling Reilly Aisling Reilly Sinn Féin

Yes. I recognise and commend the work that you have done, with other Members, over the past few months. You stood on the streets with residents to reject the hate and racism that we witnessed and to support our minority ethnic communities, as you always have done and, I am sure, will continue to do. I had the great opportunity to meet various organisations that are on the ground, day and daily, supporting those who seek refuge here. I also recognise the vital work that they do to support those who are in need. Whilst we consider the draft refugee integration strategy, officials are progressing work that is designed to strengthen support for those who seek international protection here. That work includes creating structures that ensure a more coordinated and collaborative approach across government and Departments to facilitate the allocation of funding, put in place advice services for those who require them and develop an orientation package.

Photo of Edwin Poots Edwin Poots DUP

Question 6 has been withdrawn.