The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) was established on 2nd April 2001 with the merger of the Directorate for Asylum Support Services and the former Refugee Agency of the Department of Foreign Affairs.

The RIA is responsible for coordinating the provision of services to both asylum seekers and refugees, coordinating the implementation of integration policy for all refugees and persons granted leave to remain in the State and responding to crisis situations which result in large numbers of refugees arriving in Ireland within a short period of time.

On foot of a Government Decision of 2nd March 2004, the Reception and Integration Agency was also assigned responsibility for supporting the repatriation, on an ongoing basis for the Department of Social and Family Affairs of nationals of the ten new EU Member States who fail the Habitual Residency Condition attaching to Social Assistance Payments.

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