Report looks at support offered to refugees

A REVIEW into the resettlement, reunification and integration of Somali refugees in Arklow was launched at Wicklow County Council recently following a discussion on how those welcomed to Ireland have been supported since their arrival in 2013.

A presentation by Director of Services Michael Nicholson outlined that six Somali families moved to Arklow in 2014, six adults and 14 young people.

That figure grew to 45 in 2018 as more refugees were welcomed.

The elected members were informed that following the initial period of funding and support, ‘once the money dried up, there was very little contact with the families’.

Mr Nicholson cited difficulties with the language barrier and said that it was difficult to get a Somali interpretor to assist in communicating with the families.

He added that they had great difficulty in accessing education because of this and that filling out paperwork was also a big challenge.

Cllr Gráinne McLoughlin welcomed the review, which she said was the first of its kind to be conducted.

‘This is such a small number of people yet the issues are huge and complex. If we are to take refugees we must offer the right support,’ she said.

Cllr Joe Behan said that it was ‘unacceptable’ that the funding would be simply cut off leaving it to the already stretched local authorities to take on the responsibility.

Cllr Miriam Murphy agreed with Cllr Behan, and said that it is very common that funding is made available for a few years then suddenly cut off, effectively leaving communities stranded.