A three-year plan aimed at supporting the integration of Limerick’s estimated 16,000 migrants into society was launched at Limerick City Hall this morning (10 December, 2013).
The ‘Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2013-2016’ was developed by the Limerick City and County Integration Working Group (IWG) and seeks to coordinate the aims, resources and activities of a wide range of statutory and community groups across Limerick City and County.
The Plan was launched by Limerick City & County Manager, Conn Murray who commented: “This blueprint document follows on from the Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2010-2012, which highlighted the benefits of embracing a cross-sector and community-wide approach to promoting interculturalism in Limerick.”
“The new Plan supports a vibrant, inclusive and dynamic society in Limerick in which all residents are valued, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnic background. Through its membership of the IWG, Limerick City and County Council looks forward to playing a key role in progressing integration measures, celebrating diversity and enhancing social cohesion in Limerick,” added Mr. Murray.
“Since the completion of the 2010-2012 Integrating Limerick Plan, we took a step back to assess where things stood,” explained Ms. Karen McHugh, IWG Co-Chairperson and CEO of local migrant rights organisation Doras Luimní.
Ms. McHugh continued: “The members participated in a Needs Analysis exercise to ensure that we had an objective and informed view of what was working and what the outstanding issues were. Following that we took identified priority areas where we barriers to integration existed and the IWG could develop strategies and concrete actions to address these.”
“Integration is a live issue affecting every person in our community, although they may not be aware of it. Integration is about quality of life and ensuring access to human rights. It is appropriate that this Plan will be launched on International Human Rights Day. We warmly welcome and strongly encourage everyone to attend this event to find out what is involved in the Plan and how they can play a role in building an integrated community here in Limerick,” Ms. McHugh added.
IWG Co-Chairperson, Eugene Quinn of Jesuit Refugee Services stated: “Local authorities, service providers and community groups are working to meet the challenges of integration and they need guidance and specific strategies in order to do so in a progressive, coordinated way. We have a track record of collaborative integration planning and implementation in Limerick. With this new plan we will continue and build on that groundwork.”
The IWG was established in 2007 to bring together bodies working with or on behalf of migrants, minorities and the wider community, and to facilitate information sharing, strategy development and cooperation between the stakeholders.
Membership of the Group includes An Garda Síochána, Ballyhoura Development Ltd., Citizens Information Board, City Community and Voluntary Forum, Limerick City AES, County Limerick VEC, Department of Education and Science (Mid-West), Department of Social Protection, Doras Luimní (Joint Chair), Employment Services DSP, Health Service Executive, Integration Centre, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland (Joint Chair), Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council, Limerick Filipino Community, Limerick Latvian Activity Centre, Limerick Volunteer Centre, New Communities Partnership, PAUL Partnership, University of Limerick and West Limerick Resources.
For further information on the ‘Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2013-2016’ visit www.limerickcity.ie or www.dorasluimni.org.
The ‘Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2013-2016’ was developed by the Limerick City and County Integration Working Group (IWG) and seeks to coordinate the aims, resources and activities of a wide range of statutory and community groups across Limerick City and County.
The Plan was launched by Limerick City & County Manager, Conn Murray who commented: “This blueprint document follows on from the Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2010-2012, which highlighted the benefits of embracing a cross-sector and community-wide approach to promoting interculturalism in Limerick.”
“The new Plan supports a vibrant, inclusive and dynamic society in Limerick in which all residents are valued, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnic background. Through its membership of the IWG, Limerick City and County Council looks forward to playing a key role in progressing integration measures, celebrating diversity and enhancing social cohesion in Limerick,” added Mr. Murray.
“Since the completion of the 2010-2012 Integrating Limerick Plan, we took a step back to assess where things stood,” explained Ms. Karen McHugh, IWG Co-Chairperson and CEO of local migrant rights organisation Doras Luimní.
Ms. McHugh continued: “The members participated in a Needs Analysis exercise to ensure that we had an objective and informed view of what was working and what the outstanding issues were. Following that we took identified priority areas where we barriers to integration existed and the IWG could develop strategies and concrete actions to address these.”
“Integration is a live issue affecting every person in our community, although they may not be aware of it. Integration is about quality of life and ensuring access to human rights. It is appropriate that this Plan will be launched on International Human Rights Day. We warmly welcome and strongly encourage everyone to attend this event to find out what is involved in the Plan and how they can play a role in building an integrated community here in Limerick,” Ms. McHugh added.
IWG Co-Chairperson, Eugene Quinn of Jesuit Refugee Services stated: “Local authorities, service providers and community groups are working to meet the challenges of integration and they need guidance and specific strategies in order to do so in a progressive, coordinated way. We have a track record of collaborative integration planning and implementation in Limerick. With this new plan we will continue and build on that groundwork.”
The IWG was established in 2007 to bring together bodies working with or on behalf of migrants, minorities and the wider community, and to facilitate information sharing, strategy development and cooperation between the stakeholders.
Membership of the Group includes An Garda Síochána, Ballyhoura Development Ltd., Citizens Information Board, City Community and Voluntary Forum, Limerick City AES, County Limerick VEC, Department of Education and Science (Mid-West), Department of Social Protection, Doras Luimní (Joint Chair), Employment Services DSP, Health Service Executive, Integration Centre, Jesuit Refugee Service Ireland (Joint Chair), Limerick City Council, Limerick County Council, Limerick Filipino Community, Limerick Latvian Activity Centre, Limerick Volunteer Centre, New Communities Partnership, PAUL Partnership, University of Limerick and West Limerick Resources.
For further information on the ‘Limerick City & County Integration Plan 2013-2016’ visit www.limerickcity.ie or www.dorasluimni.org.
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