Mr. David Stanton, T.D., Minister of State at the Department of Justice with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration announced in November 2017 the award of project funding totalling €485,226 to seven projects nationwide to support the labour-market integration of female refugees and the female family members of refugees. This funding was through the Dormant Accounts Fund. The seven projects will be delivered over the course of 2018 in a number of locations across the country by organisations who were successful following an open competitive application process administered by Pobal on behalf of the Department of Justice.
Successful projects were selected on the strength of their ability to:
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Improve the employability of female refugees and the female family members of refugees, and
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Provide targeted supports that promote access to and participation in education, training employment and self-employment.
Examples of activities to be funded include:
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A collaboration between migrant organisation Cultúr Celebrating Diversity and Meath Partnership to deliver a life and work skills programme to female refugees transitioning from the accommodation centre in Mosney;
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A Cork-based project run by immigrant support organisation NASC providing training, work placements and volunteering experience to female refugees;
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A project working with the community of female refugees in Ballaghaderreen which will include the establishment of a Creative Collective.
Announcing the funding, the Minister said:
“Employment is a very important aspect of integration. For many people who have been granted refugee status here in Ireland, getting a job here will be a critical part of building a new life for themselves and their families. Female refugees may encounter barriers in accessing the labour market and it is important that targeted supports are available to them in overcoming these. This funding programme complements the €3.3 million under the European Social Fund Employability of Migrants Measure, which I announced last January. It is part of a broader commitment to support integration initiatives delivered by community and voluntary organisations in line with the objectives of our National Migrant Integration Strategy adopted by the Government earlier this year."
For more information on OPMI's DAF funded projects and Pobal please use the links below.
