Local Authority Integration Team (LAIT)

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International protection is a commonly used phrase in EU law which refers to both refugee and subsidiary protection statuses. A person who claims asylum in Ireland and is seeking international protection from persecution or serious harm in their home country is called an International Protection Applicant.

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A refugee is a person who has a well-founded fear of persecution on account of one of five reasons (race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion). A person can also receive ‘subsidiary protection’ if they were at risk of suffering serious harm in their country. If a person does not qualify for either refugee status or subsidiary protection, they may be granted permission to remain. This status may be granted at the discretion of the Minister for Justice on humanitarian grounds, or for some other compelling reason.

*Source 1, Source 2

A Programme Refugee is a person who has been invited to Ireland under a Government decision in response to a humanitarian request, usually from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), either for the purposes of temporary protection or resettlement.

*Source

The European Council decided to activate the Temporary Protection Directive on 4th March, 2022. This European law was originally passed up in the aftermath of the Yugoslav war and was designed to be used in the event of a “mass influx or imminent mass influx” of people coming into the EU. It aims to offer immediate help to large groups of people by granting a form of collective protection status. 

Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection in Ireland are those who have fled Ukraine and meet the eligibility requirements. You can find more on this here.

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In the context of Irish Migration policy, integration has been defined as “the ability to participate to the extent that a person needs and wishes in all major components of society without having to relinquish his or her own identity.”

LAIT stands for the Local Authority Integration Team. We are a team within the Community Department in Fingal County Council, and we will guide you to services you need to integrate into the community. We work with Applicants for International Protection, Those with Refugee, Subsidiary Protection, Permission to remain status, Programme Refugees and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTP). To link in with our team you can email us at  [email protected] .

You will meet with one of the Integration Support Workers and will be asked questions about your health and wellbeing, family, community integration, employment, education, your day-to-day living and accessing public services.

You do not have to answer any questions if you do not wish to do so. The information which you share will be treated in a confidential manner and stored securely. The Integration Support Worker will then signpost you to the relevant services, provide you with information and inform you about upcoming information clinics.

A Temporary Residence Certificate (TRC) will be given to you after your Preliminary Interview in the IPO. Make sure your name is spelt correctly and in the right order. If there are any issues with your name email [email protected] .

Note the Personal number on your TRC and use it when emailing the IPO or IPAS. If you change address, be sure to update the IPO and tell them your new address by email.

Your TRC card has an expiry date. It is written in red, under the photo. Be sure to apply to renew it at least two weeks before it expires.

A PPS number (PPSN) is a unique reference number that helps you access social welfare benefits and public services in Ireland. A PPSN is always 7 numbers followed by either one or two letters.

To get your PPSN:

1. An application for this number would have been made for you at the IPO on the day you received your temporary residence card (TRC).
2. You should have received a letter from the Department of Social Protection inviting you to go and collect your PPSN from your local Intreo office after four working days.
3. You should bring this letter you receive along with proof of address and your TRC and IPF1 form.

When you have your PPSN, you can apply for your Public Service Card (PSC):

1. You can apply for a PSC at an Intreo Centre.
2. Some Intreo Centres’ PSC card service is by appointment only while others have a walk-in service.
3. You should bring your PSN, TRC, Proof of Address and IPF1 Form from the IPO.

A person seeking International Protection is entitled to apply for and be assessed for a medical card. You can apply online at www.mymedicalcard.ie or can download a medical card application form.

For people included in your application you will need to provide PPS numbers, dates of birth, and income/expense details.

Once you have a PPSN, you can apply for your weekly payment, also known as the Daily Expenses Allowance. The weekly expense rate is €29.80 for children and €38.80 for adults. In order to apply you must:

1. Fill out a Daily Expenses Allowance (DEA) form and a Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1) form.
2. Post your form to the Department of Social Protection (Asylum Seekers Unit) at the following address: Elizabeth O’Farrell House, North Cumberland Street, Dublin 1, D01 NX32

 Please note:

1. You are also entitled to apply for additional payments if your circumstances change (for example, if you have a child). 
2. An increased rate of €113.80 per week for an adult applies where a person is unaccommodated and is on a waiting list for IPAS accommodation.
3. An income assessment is being introduced for the Daily Expenses Allowance from June 2024 for people 18 years or over who are receiving an income for 12 weeks or more. The Daily Expenses Allowance payment will finish where a person is getting €125 or more per week. If a person’s income is above €60 and below €125, their reduced rate of Daily Expenses Allowance will be based on their earnings. If a person’s income is €60 or less, their Daily Expenses Allowance payment will not be affected. Income includes pay from a job, self-employment and social welfare payments. For couples or families, the Daily Expenses Allowance payment from the person who has income may be reduced or withdrawn. This will not affect any payments other family members are getting.

For more information, click here.

No, the LAIT does not have any role in providing accommodation, or identifying or dealing with accommodation centre transfers. However, we can signpost you to the relevant support services. 

If you are sick or unwell, please see a doctor. You can make an appointment for free at one of the following clinics:

• Rialto Primary Care Centre, 383 South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08 RY99: 087 429 9686
• Safetynet Inclusion Hub, IHH Summerhill, 90-92 Summerhill Parade, D01 HN35: 01 876 5201
• 70 Eccles Street, Dublin 7, D07 A977: 087 312 9127
   

If the Doctor gives you a letter/document that shows you are sick, send it to IPAS by email. In the case of a medical emergency dial 999/112 for an ambulance.   

You are entitled to be represented by a solicitor throughout the asylum process, for free.

To apply, you need to complete an application form, and submit it to a Legal Aid Board office near you.

Blanchardstown Law Centre
Units 6-8 Blanchardstown Business Centre
Clonsilla Road
Dublin 15
D15 DT78
Tel: (01) 820 0455
Mobile: 087 219 4987
Email: [email protected]

Ballymun Law Centre & Mediation Centre
Unit 2, 2nd Floor,
Lidl North Quarter,
Ballymun,
Dublin 11
D11 WRN8
Tel: (01) 234 4400
Email: [email protected]
Wheelchair accessible