Refugees settling in well

REFUGEES who have settled in Enniscorthy are integrating well with the local community.

Speaking at last Monday’s meeting of Enniscorthy Municipal District senior housing executive Padraig O’Gorman said eight families have arrived in Enniscorthy and moved into their homes.

He said the ‘designated refugee support worker is working closely with them providing support and assistance to help them integrate into the local community.

‘ Tarig Yousif has recently taken up appointment with Doris Luimni as translator and cross cultural works and will be based in Enniscorthy and Wexford.

‘He will work closely with the Refugee Resettlement Worker.’

Mr O’Gorman said the next stage of Wexford’s Resettlement Programme is to move some families in the New Ross area.

Cllr Paddy Kavanagh said that the next phase, phase 2, is to move families into New Ross. He wondered would there be further phases of the programme or has Wexford ‘fulfilled its obligations’.

Mr O’Gorman said that the first phase involved Wexford and Enniscorthy taking in 80 people, a total of 17 families. The second phase is the resettlement of 70 people, a total of 14 families.

He said there was no further information available to the council.

Director of Services John Carley said it was a matter for Government adding it was a national issue. ‘I suspect there are ongoing discussions that we don’t know about. Ireland will probably have to take its fair share.’

Chairman Keith Doyle said that he understood the integration in Enniscorthy is good with families making an effort to integrate.