Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Mar 1999

Vol. 502 No. 1

Written Answers. - Social Integration.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

97 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, there are for an advertising campaign in view of his remarks on 4 February 1999 at the launch of UN sponsored campaign concerning the integration of refugees; the budget for the campaign; when the campaign will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7209/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The UNHCR has developed a public awareness campaign to promote the integration of refugees in the European Union. This campaign is part of a project administered and funded by the European Commission.

I welcomed this initiative and was very happy to launch it and be associated with it. As I said on many occasions, it is important that the State responds positively to the needs of persons granted refugee status and that they are made feel welcome in our country. The campaign launched by the UNHCR is complementary to the work already under way in my Department on the important question of integration, so that a person granted refugee status will have the opportunity to participate fully in society.

In this regard, I established an interdepartmental working group to examine the best means of integrating into Irish society recognised refugees and others granted permission to remain in this country. The working group is due to report back to me in April of this year.