Wicklow County Council has been advised that approximately 38 Syrian families will be allocated to County Wicklow under the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).

An Interagency Committee has been established to ensure the necessary supports across the board are in place prior to the arrival of the families in the county.

This Committee is chaired by the Council and has participants from the HSE, TUSLA, Department of Social Protection, KWETB, Co. Wicklow Partnership, MABS, Citizens Information, Wicklow Co Childcare Committee, An Garda Siochana, and Wicklow Volunteer Centre, with support provided by the Community Directorate and the Housing Directorate of Wicklow County Council.

The Committee, led by Wicklow County Council, will:

Act as management team for the resettlement project in the area

Ensure financial probity with regard to funding from the EU under the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF)

Act at all times to ensure that refugees receive their rights and entitlements

Work as a group to select an implementing partner who will employ two Resettlement Support Workers and two Intercultural Support Workers

Work in partnership with all other members to ensure successful resettlement

The accommodation needs will be met by a suite of options, primarily in partnership with other service providers and it is intended to accommodate the families across the Municipal Districts where suitable accommodation has been identified and sourced and the necessary supports can be provided.

Accordingly, meetings have taken place with Approved Housing Bodies to provide extra accommodation for this programme.

The Irish Government has given a commitment to resettle approximately 4,000 refugees and asylum seekers in Ireland under a programme called the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).

The migrants largely originate from Syria (from Greece and Lebanon) and Eritrea. Those granted refugee status will be entitled to the same range of public services and supports, as Irish Citizens.

Once in Ireland the new arrivals will be provided with temporary accommodation in a number of Emergency Reception and Orientation Centres (EROCs) located in various parts of the country. At these centres, the refugees progress through an orientation process which includes English language classes.