TAIPEI (Taiwan News) – The Ministry of Interior intends to launch a New Immigrant Development Agency next year, reports said Thursday.

The New Immigrants Basic Act was passed last year, with discussions at the Legislative Yuan focusing on how much progress was being made. The ministry said that if plans went ahead, its new department would count 100 full-time employees with an annual budget of NT$700 million (US$23.7 million), per CNA.

Another Ministry of Interior unit, the National Immigration Agency, has been in charge of preparatory work, including seven taskforce meetings up to May. Due to the wide range of issues and jurisdiction involved, the work is taking a long time, officials said.

The new government body will manage issues related to employment, education, and care for new immigrants. Ministry of Interior officials did not give a date for the launch of the agency, while the search for offices in Taipei or New Taipei is progressing.