Ó An Roinn Leanaí, Comhionannais, Míchumais, Lánpháirtíochta agus Óige
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Minister Roderic O’Gorman has announced that the International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) is to develop an IPAS LGBTI+ Resident Policy, which will include transgender accommodation provisions. The new policy will form part of an ongoing reform of IPAS operations.
The policy is part of a series of changes within IPAS to place the welfare of all IPAS residents, including LGBTI+ residents, at the centre of operational decisions and ensure all new protection applicants are accommodated and supported in a way that fully takes into account the many diverse reception needs encountered among new arrivals.
The new policy will aim to ensure that LGBTI+ applicants enjoy a safe and welcoming environment wherever they are staying within the IPAS accommodation network. The policy will seek to promote equality, taking account of individual needs, and ensure that the safety and wellbeing of all residents is promoted within the service.
Announcing the changes, Minister O’Gorman said:
“During the White Paper consultation, I met and heard from LGBTI+ people about the specific difficulties that they had experienced in Direct Provision.
“As we work to end Direct Provision, it is vital that the dignity, safety and wellbeing of all International Protection applicants is upheld, particularly where they may have unique vulnerabilities. A new policy for LGBTI+ applicants will help to ensure that they are supported while applying for International Protection, that no person will ever need to feel in any way isolated, and that their accommodation will always be a safe space.
“Central to the development of the new policy will be a listening phase – we need to hear from LGBTI+ applicants themselves, their advocates and the NGOs working in the field, on how best to develop this new policy.”
The development of the policy is in line with the action plan to support the National LGBTI+ Inclusion Strategy 2019 - 2021. It is intended to publish the new policy by Q4 2021 and the Department will be engaging in consultations with relevant stakeholders in the interim period to inform its development.
ENDS
IPAS has engaged in a series of structural reforms including the development this year of a new dedicated Customer Services Team that handles complaints and provides outreach services to residents through onsite residents clinics and a new Resident Welfare Team which is a multi-disciplinary team with officials seconded from the HSE, Tusla and the Department of Education and focuses on case management of residents identified as particularly vulnerable. IPAS is also currently reviewing all of its operational policies to identify areas where there may still be gaps in terms of formally outlining how we meet the needs of our very diverse range of customers. A new IPAS website is expected to go live in early July and all operational policies developed to date will be published on that website.
Issued by the Press and Communications Office at the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Tel: 01 647 - 3153/3114
Email: media@equality.gov.ie