IRELAND will welcome 4,000 refugees under the Resettlement and Relocation programmes, the Irish Government today confirmed.
Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald made the announcement following a special Cabinet meeting this morning to discuss Ireland’s role in tackling the Migrant Crisis.
She said that an Irish Refugee Protection Programme would also be established to provide safe haven for those seeking international protection.
The plans to resettle the 4,000 refugees includes the 600 people already committed to earlier this year under the EU Relocation programme and 520 refugees currently being resettled under a separate programme.
Minister Fitzgerald stated: “We have all been shocked and upset at the scenes witnessed in southern and central Europe and the distressing scenes during rescues in the Mediterranean. It is only right that we are do all we can as a nation to help.
“Under the new Programme agreed today, Ireland will offer a welcome safe haven for families and children who have been forced to leave their homes due to war and conflict.”
The minister said the programme - to focus primarily on women and children - would cost €12million (£8.7million) a year for every 1,000 refugees.
The first people are expected to arrive in the next few weeks.
"We will put in place all the necessary supports to ensure that those coming to Ireland can integrate as well as helping them to overcome any trauma they endured on having to flee their home countries," she added.
"Special arrangements involving the relevant state agencies will be put in place to support the needs for unaccompanied, vulnerable children."
