Senator McGreehan calls for greater migrant integration supports in Dundalk
"I ask that local authorities be given supports such as liaison officers who could go into each community as a point person."
Louth Senator Erin Mcgreehan has called on the the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth to provide greater supports, such as liaison officers, for migrant integration in the Dundalk area.
Addressing Minister Roderic O'Gorman in the Seanad yesterday the senator said she acknowledged that the Minister has been working to “pull out all the stops,” repurposing office blocks or upgrading any other sort of accommodation that can be upgraded and made fit for purpose to house people.
“It is important that we have infrastructure in place. I ask that local authorities be given supports such as liaison officers who could go into each community as a point person.
“Local sports partnerships should be given supports that they currently are not getting. The link person is not there. There are many migrants in Dundalk and a great many sports clubs, but no link-ups.
“If we raise up and support one part of our community, the reality is that we are supporting everyone.
“If we bring 500 refugees into Dundalk, what benefits will Dundalk get from having those 500 refugees? What is the Government going to do?”
She said that if the Department supported local clubs and local authorities and encouraged employability and education and training boards, the communities would put their hands up.
“Dundalk has received so much. There is a net gain from welcoming people, supporting people and being a welcoming place. I genuinely believe we need a person to perform this function,” she said.
She said that the recently announced guide to inclusion and community engagement in local planning and decision-making was a good framework and a good start but that she would like to see it in statute.
“It has to be done so that it is not just a question of guidelines. People need to be brought in. Every local authority should have a point person to go to. There are supports on the ground. It is the ground that makes the home.”