Syrian refugees will be housed in county in 2017
YOUNG women from across the county had their voices heard at the recent Soroptimists Public Speaking competition in the Riverbank House Hotel. Olivia Malone from Presentation Secondary School and Brenda Whelan from Coláiste Abbáin in Adamstown came out on top on the night and will now go forward in the regional competition in Maynooth in January. If successful, they will progress to the national final in Castlebar in March.
This year, 21 contestants from seven Wexford schools competed in the county competition. The students were from Bridgetown College, Coláiste Abbáin Adamstown, Gorey Community College, Our Lady of Lourdes Secondary School New Ross, Presentation Secondary School Wexford, St Mary’s Secondary School New Ross, and Loreto Secondary School Wexford. SYRIAN refugees are due to be given accommodation in County Wexford in mid-2017.
Wexford County Council CEO Tom Enright told yesterday’s (Monday) meeting of the local authority that refugee families are due to arrive and to be processed and housed in the county.
Cllr Malcolm Byrne brought a motion calling on the body to assist positively in the integration of refugees into Irish society.
He called for an appropriate welcoming reception to be held to mark the occasion of the first Syrian refugees arriving here, adding that Wexford needs to be a welcoming county for people who seek refuge or asylum from war, natural disaster or the abuse of human rights.
Cllr Davy Hynes described the situation in the Middle East as dreadful.
He said: ‘I get a lot of abuse over the phone and have been told “If I was a foreigner I would get a grant”. I think we have to resist that. I know people are feeling austerity but humanity has to kick in.’
Cllr Johnny Mythen said more than a civic reception is needed.
‘I believe this is the biggest tragedy since the second world war,’ Cllr Mythen said, adding that language is a major issue.
‘If they can’t speak English they won’t get a job.’
Mr Enright, who is on a national taskforce for refugees, said he has heard first hand some of the stories involving refugees.
‘It’s tragic and we need to play our part. We will be getting a group of Syrian refugees by the middle of next year.’
A local coordination group has been established with the HSE to help assimilate the refugees.
The refugees will be relocate to reception centres for around a month prior to being housed.
‘ They will be given refugee status and then they will be entitled to the same entitlements as Irish citizens. Housing these people is critical. It’s difficult at the moment but we are looking at a solution where we can house these people and how this would not impact the housing of people in County Wexford. It’s very important we give these people a good welcome as they are coming from horrific situations.’
The motion was unanimously passed.