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THE HEAD OF the UN’s Refugee Agency has commended Ireland’s resettlement efforts but also expressed hope that wait times for people in Direct Provision improve.
UN High Commissioner Filippo Grandi yesterday met with President Michael D Higgins and will today meet with the Taoiseach, Tánaiste and Minister for Justice.
In a message as part of his visit, Grandi said Irish people have been “exemplary” in their support of refugees around the world through both financial support and resettlement programmes.
“Ireland has a proud history of offering resettlement places for the most vulnerable refugees. We should not underestimate the life-saving changes that the Irish people have made to those resettled following their flight from conflict or persecution,” Grandi said.
As part of the message, the UN’s Refugee Agency said the High Commissioner “welcomed reforms intended to improve reception conditions” and also hoped that changes to determination procedures would allow people to “exit Direct Provision earlier”.
Ireland’s Direct Provision system has been coming under increased scrutiny with migrants rights groups highlighting that vulnerability assessments for people seeking asylum have not been made available.
The State was also forced to apologise over the case of Sylva Tukula, who died while the in Direct Provision system and was buried without ceremony or notice given to her friends.
Last month, President Higgins hosted an even in Áras an Uachtaráin highlighting issues around Direct Provision and he made reference to that event during his reception for Grandi yesterday.
“Refugees turn to their fellow global citizens for protection and shelter, with the hope for a better future and increased opportunities for themselves and their families,” Higgins said during the reception.
Many have had to grapple with a foreign language, a different climate, and a new set of social customs. Others I know have experienced prejudice and stereotyping born of ignorance and fear.
“As President of Ireland, when I hear of this, I am deeply saddened, and I have offered an apology on behalf of the people of Ireland to any of those affected by such callous and unacceptable behaviour. We are all on our shared vulnerable planet challenged to give authentic meaning to what we mean by hospitality.”
Community programmes
Ahead of his meeting with the Taoiseach and senior ministers, Grandi praised Ireland’s introduction of the Community Sponsorship Programme which the UN says helps refugees develop language skills and access and navigate public services.
The programme was introduced on a pilot basis in 10 areas last March to allow members of the public to help with the integration of refugee families into Irish communities.
Grandi went on to welcome Ireland’s support of the UN’s Global Compact on Refugees, which seeks to make helping refugees more equitable across the international community.
At present, almost 90% of the world’s refugees are being hosted in developing rather that developed countries.
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There’s tragedy in life like the death of a child .Things never get back to the way they were. RIP to all those who died. Unimaginable heartache for their families …
Thank you for changing the headline. Those four deaths are equally tragic and all four were in the wrong place at the wrong time. It’s unfair to think the family of the little girl is hurting more than the families of the three men. RIP to all of them.
Hi Theresa, it wasn’t intended for the three men to be ‘treated like they didn’t matter’. They were mentioned in the excerpt just below the original headline.
I know they were aoife but every death is tragic and should be treated equally. You mentioned them but didn’t feel their death was as tragic.
Hi Theresa, it’s incorrect to say I didn’t feel their death was as tragic. They were not in the headline but were in the subheading right under the headline, and also in the first line of the piece.
I understand your concern of course, and did change the headline, but it’s not fair to make an assumption about what I do or do not feel about these men’s deaths.
Why weren’t they in the headline? Can you explain your reason to give them a little mention?
relax Theresa, she has already clarified.
Sounds reminiscent of the incident in Scotland….
Four people died here so I don’t get the focus on one person. Your headline is off side.
Have you got kids Theresa because losing a 4 year old is cruel hence the headline focusing on the loss of the kids life who was really just beginning life, think before you comment would be my advice to you
Those three men might have children who are now without a father. Grief is not just for parents. I personally find the story one sided and the three men just added like they didn’t matter. It’s just how I see it.
Give it a rest will ya. There’s always one person who can manage to be offended by everything
Why are arguing about whose death is more tragic? Have a bit of compassion and think before you type.
RIP to the four people here, I hope and pray the grandmother recovers. My thoughts are with the families left behind :(
Horrific,I remember something similar happening on the long mile road many years ago when a container fell off a lorry.
How desperately sad for the families of the bereaved.
Theresa untwist your knickers
What were the ages of the men?
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