Government urged to resettle Syrian refugees in Ireland

JRS Ireland calls on the Irish Government to enhance its existing resettlement programme for Syrian refugees.

Whilst acknowledging and welcoming the pledges made by the Irish Government, early in 2014, of emergency funding for the region, JRS Ireland continues to caution against a policy of burden shifting as opposed to genuine burden sharing. 

Ireland has currently committed to only accepting approximately 1% of an agreed European Union total of 12,000 vulnerable refugees from Syria.  Speaking before the World Day of Migrants and Refugees in January, Eugene Quinn, JRS Ireland’s National Director, said:

“Syria is now recognized as the worst refugee crisis in 20 years. In the true spirit of solidarity, Ireland can offer shelter and hope through an enhanced resettlement programme for Syrian refugees. We did this very successfully in the past for Vietnamese refugees and European refugees from the Balkan conflict.”

JRS Ireland is calling on the Irish Government to extend the existing resettlement programme to offer protection to at least 300 Syrian refugees in Ireland during 2014. This would represent 1% of the most vulnerable 30,000 refugees from Syria, recommended by UNHCR as being in need of protection.  Mr Quinn added:

"There is a desperate need to help the people of Syria and support neighbouring countries in the region who are stretched beyond capacity in their efforts to offer protection to in excess of 2.7 million registered refugees."

Following the public call, JRS Ireland was invited to discuss the issue in more depth on RTE’s News at One.  Listen back HERE to the interview with Policy & Advocacy Officer, David Moriarty.