ACCORDING TO GROUPS working with minorities in Ireland, racism is rising but the Government is doing little to combat it.

Local and national organisations are due to meet with Oireachtas members in Leinster House later to warn them of the damage being caused to communities across Ireland by the severe cuts inflicted on essential supports and services.

Shutdown is imminent for a number of groups working with migrants, asylum seekers and refugees, including organisations in Dublin and Meath with reduced capacity for Mayo Intercultural Action, while Galway Refugee Support Group has already been forced to close due to cutbacks.

“The Government is displaying a baffling reluctance to release European funds already allocated to Ireland for integration and refugee services. This raises serious questions about their commitment to integration at a local level,” said Siobhan O’Donoghue of the Migrants Rights Centre Ireland “The organisations dependent on this funding are lifelines for at-risk individuals and families across Ireland.”

Shane O’Curry, director of the European Network Against Racism Ireland (ENAR Ireland), confirmed the rise of overt racism in Ireland.

We are seeing an alarming increase in reports of racism to our network. Against the backdrop of a Europe-wide rise in racism and xenophobia, austerity measures in Ireland are hitting minority ethnic groups worst.

O’Curry continued said the situation is at “crisis point” and that’s what they will them today when they meet them in Leinster House.

Read: Gardaí intervene after altercation on Luas Red Line>
More: President: Racism will rise if Europe does not focus on citizens>