No uptake from Galway on refugee resettlement scheme
There have been no applications from communities in Galway to sponsor refugees under a resettlement initiative which was launched last November.
However, Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton, said he believes that as the Community Sponsorship Ireland (CSI) initiative grows, there will be applications from Galway city and county.
The scheme is aimed at encouraging local groups to welcome refugees to Ireland and provide supports and assistance to them.
Galway West Deputy Éamon Ó Cuív asked the Government for details of how many applications there were from potential community sponsors in Galway and the number of refugees received to date.
Minister Stanton replied: “None are currently from the county or city of Galway. It is expected that as the programme grows and becomes more established this is likely to change.”
He went on to say that the country has already resettled 30 individuals and is committed to accepting a minimum of 100 before the end of the year.
“To date, eight refugee families (30 individuals) have arrived in Ireland under community sponsorship and have been warmly received by their host communities. A further nine communities have been approved as community sponsorship groups and are now actively undergoing the required training through their respective Regional Support Organisation.
“Community Sponsorship Ireland is a new community-based sponsorship programme which invites members of the public to play a key role in the integration of refugees into Irish society. This new initiative was developed by my Department in collaboration with civil society organisations and formally launched in November last year.
“Community Sponsorship provides a new mechanism to enhance existing rights-based support. Under the programme, private citizens and community-based organisations will provide direct support and assistance to refugees settling in their locality through a structured programme of supports.
“Involved communities will be empowered to promote, support and facilitate access to services and supports tailored to transition vulnerable families into Irish society and towards independent living through inclusion into the wider community,” said Minister Stanton.
He said that last December, he and Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan unveiled plans to welcome up to 2,900 more refugees between 2020 and 2023 through a combination of resettlement and the new community sponsorship initiative.
“Ireland remains committed to accepting a minimum of 100 individuals for resettlement under the community sponsorship model for 2020.
“The situation at this time remains challenging due to travel restrictions in place owing to the Covid-19 pandemic,” said Minister Stanton.