IRELAND has kindly agreed to resettle 50 people who had been living in a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesbos.
The refugee camp - Moria - recently burned down, leaving over 12,000 people in desperate need of a place to live.
Justice Minister Helen McEntee said on Thursday that Ireland will gladly offer a helping hand under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).
"It was profoundly distressing to see the pictures of families, many with young children, sleeping on the side of the road, having lost the small amount of possessions and shelter that they had," said McEntee.
A woman tends to her child as refugees from the islands of Lesbos, Chios, Samos , Kos and Leros wait to board buses after leaving Moria camp after it burned down"Ireland has always responded positively to humanitarian crises, and we won’t be found wanting on this occasion.
"This is in addition to the commitment that we have already made with the UNCHR to resettle 2,900 refugees to Ireland over the next four years," said McEntee.
"Ireland as a country has always stepped up to the mark and ensured that we can provide a safe place for people who need it," McEntee added.
"As Minister for Justice I'm determined that we continue in that regard. Today I have approved 50 asylum seekers who will come from Greece within family units where they can hopefully begin to start a new life in a much safer environment."
The distressing images from the #Moria camp showed children and families losing what few possessions they had, and what modest shelter they had.
We will play our part to help and I am committing today that up to 50 people in families will be resettled to Ireland from Greece. pic.twitter.com/AJiJIXAqvn— Helen McEntee TD (@HMcEntee) October 1, 2020
According to McEntee, the 50 people will be granted 'Programme Refugee' status as soon as they touch down in Ireland.
Officials from the Department of Justice & Equality are liaising with the European Commission, and they and along with An Garda Síochána will travel to Greece in the coming weeks to make the arrangements.
Through the Irish Refugee Protection Programme the country has welcomed over a thousand asylum seekers, as well as 36 unaccompanied minors.
