The Adult Refugee Programme, which runs nationwide, including Mayo, is to be closed after Christmas as part of a massive culling of social inclusion services. The programme, which is open to all those with refugee status was to assist as best possible in a process of integration into Irish society.
CEO of The Integration Centre, which is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland, Killian Forde, said: “The fact that the Government would completely cut a service to this vulnerable group when there is no alternative proves a lack of foresight and the complete disregard for social inclusion.”
Mr Forde added: “The Adult Refugee Programme equips people for not only life in Ireland but also the job market.
“The question needs to be asked how much can really be saved by cutting a programme that catered for only 600 people last year? And what is the cost of this ‘saving’ not only to refugees but society?”
