Tipperary County Council launches migrant integration strategy

The launch of the Tipperary County Council Migrant Integration Strategy, in association with Tipperary PPN, took place at Brú Ború, Cashel, on Tuesday September 19.

There was a large attendance of representative groups and the guest of honour was the Minister of State at the Department of Social Protection and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Mr Joe O’Brien.
Cllr Seamus Hanafin, Leas Cathaoirleach of Tipperary County Council deputised for the County Cathaoirleach, who sent his regrets and apologies.

In his opening remarks, Cllr Hanafin spoke of the welcoming place that Tipperary is for migrants and refugees.
“Despite what you might see on social media, it’s a place where the vast majority of people are open and welcoming. In the 2016 census, migrants, whether economic, asylum seekers or refugees, or those who were undocumented, made up 10% of the population of Tipperary.

hat number has surely risen since then. And just as we made better the places where we went, I have no doubt so too will the migrants that have come to us, make Tipperary a better place.
Economic migrants are now an integral part of our workforce and our economy and over the last two decades they have become embedded in our communities. Right now Ukrainian refugees are very visible in our communities, but in 2015 Tipperary was one of the first places to welcome Syrian refugees. The effort and commitment of the local authority and the statutory aAgencies working hand in hand with the voluntary organisations has been particularly effective,” said Cllr Hanafin.

In launching the strategy Minister O’Brien referred to the numbers of people seeking international protection.
“There are over 500 people living in the county who have come to Ireland seeking international protection and we appreciate the communities in Tipperary welcoming those people also. In the last 18 months we have had over 1,200 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. That war continues and there are civilians being killed in Ukraine every week,” he said.
Minister O’Brien said it was important that Ireland provides that safety for people who were coming here.
“The strategy being launched here today reflects the belief that every individual, regardless of their background, should have the opportunity to thrive and to contribute to the Irish economy. Migrant populations are often under-represented in civil society and politics and it is good to see the participation levels in the development of this strategy, and that bodes well for migrant involvement in civil society. I want to acknowledge Tipperary County Council moving fast with my Department to allow

Minister Roderic O'Gorman to provide funding in recruiting new local authority integration workers. The workers will work in a collaborative way with all the agencies on the ground including the local development companies. At a county level an integration strategy is vital for fostering social cohesion, economic growth and an overall community well being and such a strategy aims to create an inclusive society where migrants can fully participate and contribute,”said Minister O'Brien.
Others to speak at the launch were Mr Eoin Wholohan, Chair of the Tipperary LCDC, Ruth Smith, Co-ordinator of Tipperary PPN, Mr. Kuldeep Joshi, Indian Community and Ms. Margo Hayes, Tipperary County Council.
Following the launch refreshments were provided and a varied programme of entertainment was presented by artists of different nationalities.