Funding - EU - EIF Latest Information

FUND: European Fund for the integration of Third Country Nationals

RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY: Office of the Minister for Integration

PERIOD COVERED: 2007- 2013

1. SITUATION IN THE MEMBER STATE

A description of the baseline situation in the Member State in the policy field covered by the Fund's objectives.

1.1. The national situation and the migratory flows affecting it

One of the most important changes driving integration in Ireland is the so-called “new demographics”. Ireland is faced with the reality that the composition of its population has dramatically changed and can now truly be described as multicultural. The change process has been dramatic both in terms of scale and speed of transformation and the need for adaptation in almost every sphere of public administration poses significant challenges. Inward migration is a relatively new phenomenon in Ireland, whose historical experience has been that of emigration for many decades. The immigrant population now living in Ireland is (proportionately) at a level that many other countries have only reached after many decades of immigration. The accession of the ten new EU countries in 2004 accelerated inward migration to Ireland.

According to the Census 2006, over 10% of the Irish population are foreign nationals i.e. approx. 420,000. This figure represents an increase of 87% on the 2002 figure of 224,000. Looked at from a ten year perspective, Ireland’s population has increased at an annual average of 1.6% between 1996 and 2006- the largest population growth in the EU. Census 2006 shows that the non-Irish nationals came from 188 different countries.

The non-Irish population was sub-divided as follows:

United Kingdom	112,548 (27% of non-Irish nationals)
EU15 excluding Ireland and the UK	42,693 (10% of non-Irish nationals)
Accession States EU15 to EU25	120,534 (29% of non-Irish nationals)
Other European nationality	24,425 (6% of non-Irish nationals)
Other countries	120,851 (29% of non-Irish nationals)

Since 2006, it is estimated by the Central Statistics Office (Population and Migration Estimates, April 2008) that there has been net immigration of 67,300, comprising a gross inflow of 109,500 and an outflow of 42,200, in the year to April 2007 and net immigration of 38,500, comprising a gross inflow of 83,800 and an outflow of 38,500, in the year to April 2008.

Net inward migration reached a peak of 71,800 in the year to April 2006 and has been declining since then.

The National Household Survey shows that, in the 1st Quarter of 2008, there were 491,500 non-Irish nationals aged 15 and over resident here, amounting to 14% of the population in that age group. They are sub-divided as follows:

United Kingdom	97,600 (20 % of non-Irish nationals)
EU15 excluding Ireland and the UK	48,000 (10% of non-Irish nationals)
Accession States EU15 to EU27	216,100 (44% of non-Irish nationals)
Other countries	129,700 (26% of non-Irish nationals)

While the major impetus for immigration to Ireland in recent years was the opening of our labour market to nationals of the 10 States which acceded to membership of the EU in 2004, there is also a significant population of third-country nationals amounting to about a quarter of all foreign nationals as is shown by the figures above (although not all of these people come within the scope of the Integration Fund).

More recent evidence based on the number of people who are applying for personal public service numbers (meaning usually that they are taking up employment here) and the number of employment permits issued, indicates that the inflow of people is reducing in response to the economic slowdown. In the period January-September 2008, 125,663 PPS numbers were issued to non-nationals, a reduction of 27% on the same period in 2007. In January-September 2008, 11,346 employment permits were issued, a 37% decrease on the same period in 2007.

The gross and net inflows have shown considerable variation over recent years and future migration trends are difficult to predict. They will be closely linked to the growth rate of the economy. Although it is possible that migration has peaked, it is thought that Ireland will continue to experience inflows of a significant level in the longer term once the present economic downturn runs its course. In Population and Labour Force Projections, 2011-2041 (published by the Central Statistics Office in April 2008), it is noted (page 17) that the country has moved from a long-standing pattern of emigration to a new pattern of relatively strong immigration and it is unlikely that this will be reversed to any sustained degree over the projection period.

In the years immediately ahead, however, economic and labour market conditions will be difficult as is illustrated by the following projections contained in Ireland – Stability Programme Update, October 2008, published by the Department of Finance.

	2008	2009	2010	2011
Projected real GDP change (%)	-1.3	-0.8	2.7	3.7
Employment change (%	0.0	-0.9	0.5	1.2

In contrast, real GDP grew by an average of 6% per annum in the 3 years 2005-2007 and employment by 4.3%.

However, while immigration may slow in the short term, this does not mean that the necessity for integration measures disappears. There is already a stock of immigrants, including third-country nationals, here who are not fully integrated and there will always be some gross inflows and each person has, to varying degrees, integration needs.

The 2006 National Economic and Social Council (NESC) report on Migration Policy recognises that integration is a key factor in determining the success or failure of migration in Ireland. This report has informed developing integration policy. The Irish Government has also indicated its ongoing and long-term commitment towards the integration process through the launch of the National Development Plan (NDP) in 2007, with an indication that some €36m will be invested across government departments over the lifetime of the current NDP to support the integration of immigrants in Ireland. The NDP and also the National Report for Ireland on Strategies for Social Protection and Social Inclusion 2008-2010 (NSSPI) , published earlier in 2007, recognise integration as one of the most important challenges currently faced by Irish society. This is reflected in the creation of a new Office of the Minister for Integration. In terms of the international context, the 2006 NESC Report cites migration as a key feature of globalisation and the UN also recognises migration as a key global issue for the twenty first century. The 2004 Hague Programme identified the need for greater coordination of national integration policies and EU initiatives in this area.

1.2. The measures undertaken by the Member State so far

The Government set up the Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) in 2001 bringing together the former Refugee Agency (that had responsibility for the coordination of resettlement programmes and responding to emergency protection requests e.g. Kosovo and Bosnia) and the Directorate for Asylum Supports Services (that had responsibility for providing accommodation for asylum seekers). RIA had responsibility for the provision of accommodation for asylum seekers and short-term accommodation for resettled refugees (admitted under UNHCR resettlement programme), for the promotion and coordination of integration measures for refugees and all other persons with leave to remain having been in the asylum process, for the coordination of Ireland’s resettlement programme and for reception measures for persons arriving under emergency measures.

In 2005, the Government further developed the Immigration Services by setting up the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) bringing together all aspects of immigration under one Division with virtual links to ensure a whole of Government approach to the area of immigration. Under INIS, the Integration remit was broadened to include all legally resident immigrants.

In recent years, public bodies have been responding to the needs that arise from immigration, for example, in the education and health areas through the provision of language tuition both for school-going children and adults and the development of intercultural strategies.

In 2005, the Government launched the National Action Plan Against Racism (NPAR), a three year programme designed to provide strategic direction towards developing a more intercultural inclusive society in Ireland. This began the process whereby local authorities developed anti-racism and diversity plans.

The NESC Strategy, (NESC Strategy 2006: People Productivity and Purpose), provided the background for the negotiations that led to Towards 2016, the 10-year Framework Social Partnership Agreement, 2006-2015, in which the Social Partners subscribed to the NESC vision of Ireland in the future, the key foundations of which are: a dynamic, internationalised, and participatory society and economy, with a strong commitment to social justice, where economic development is environmentally sustainable, and internationally competitive. The shared overall goal of Towards 2016 is to realise this vision by, inter alia: deepening capabilities, achieving higher participation rates and more successfully handling diversity, including immigration.

In 2006, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform launched an Integration Fund of €5m. €3m was used as seed funding to promote integration actions at a local level through Partnership (Not-for-profit companies were set up in the areas of greatest need, to provide an area-based response to long-term unemployment and to promote social inclusion.) and at a regional and national level through Non Government Organisations (NGO’s). €1m of the Fund was used to support actions under the NPAR. Small grants were also provided to promote support and interaction at community level. The Fund was also used to carry out a series of Strategic reviews into English Language Provision for adults, Information Provision and a review of Interpretation and Translation Services. A review of Funding mechanisms for Migrant Ethnic led organisations was also carried out. Projects funded under this initiative continued in 2007 and 2008.

In June 2007, the Government appointed a Minister of State with responsibility for development of Integration Policy. The Minister of State is part of the Departments of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

The Minister of State has a cross-Departmental mandate to develop, drive and co-ordinate integration policy across Government Departments, agencies and services. He is responsible for the development of a long-term national policy on integration which will be informed by widespread consultation, properly structured objective research and international experience and best practice. Among other things, the Office of the Minister has responsibility for the administration of European funds (Refugee Fund, Fund for the Integration of Third-Country Nationals and Social Fund) and Ireland’s resettlement programme.

In May 2008, the Minister launched Migration Nation – Statement on Integration Strategy and Diversity Management. This highlights the European Common Basic Principles of Integration and their relevance in the Irish context.

Migration Nation envisages the following key actions:

a	A clear commitment to Immigration Laws that control and facilitate access to Ireland for skilled migrants with a contribution to make.

a	A formal pathway to Permanent Residency and Citizenship for those who qualify.

a	Specific funding from Government and Philanthropic sector to support diversity management in Local Authorities, political parties, sporting bodies and faith-based groups who deal with migrant needs on a daily basis.

a	Citizenship and long-term residency to be contingent on proficiency of skills in the spoken language of the country.

a	More targeted support for teachers and parents dealing with diversity in the classroom or school setting.

a	Enhanced institutional and legislative measures to be in place to combat exploitation or discrimination against migrants in the context of the Government’s implementation of ‘Towards 2016’.

a	New structures to assist and reflect the changed dynamic of migration into Ireland, i.e. a standing Commission on Integration, a Ministerial Council on Integration and a Task Force to establish future policy needs.

The key principles which will inform and underpin State policy with regard to Integration are as follows:

a	A partnership approach between the Government and NGOs, organisations, as well as civil society bodies, to deepen and enhance the opportunities for Integration.

a	A strong link between integration policy and wider state social inclusion measures, strategies and initiatives.

a	A clear public policy focus that avoids the creation of parallel societies, communities and urban ghettoes, i.e. a mainstream approach to service delivery to migrants.

a	A commitment to effective local delivery mechanisms that align services to migrants with those for indigenous communities.

An inter-departmental committee, comprising senior civil servants and chaired by the Minister for Integration, has been established, representative of the Departments and Offices with a significant role in integration and that will meet at regular intervals to review activities in that regard and to resolve issues which arise.

The Minister is also a member of the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion, which considers integration of immigrants along with other social inclusion topics. OMI is represented on the Senior Officials Group on Social Inclusion which reports to the Cabinet Committee.

There has been a considerable increase in the provision of language support teachers for schools with significant numbers of immigrant pupils. In the recent budget, due to the difficulties in the public finances, it was necessary to reduce the level of that support from a maximum of six extra teachers per school to a maximum of two teachers per school. Notwithstanding this, it is still envisaged that there will be over 1,400 language support teachers in our schools in 2009 and up to about 500 other teachers in part-time posts.

1.3. The total national resources allocated

Integration measures are carried out across a range of Government Departments and agencies and it is not possible to quantify the overall cost. The following are the resources allocated from the Justice, Equality and Law reform Vote:

The European Refugee and Integration Funds amounts in the table above are the estimated outlay on a cash accounting basis each year on the Refugee Fund and, from 2008, the Integration Fund including the portion which will be recouped in due course from the European Commission.

The allocation for the Office of the Minister for Integration includes, apart from administrative costs, various national grant schemes and expenditure under the Employment for People from Immigrant Communities which is co-financed from the European Social Fund.

Currently, the Department of Education and Science are spending approximately €120 million per annum on language support in primary and second level schools and €10 million on language tuition for adults. There are 13,000 places available on the adult courses.

The Irish Government has also indicated its ongoing and long-term commitment towards the integration process through the launch of the National Development Plan in 2007, with an indication that some €36m will be invested across government departments over the lifetime of this Plan, 2007-2013, to support the integration of immigrants in Ireland. The National Development Plan and also the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion recognise integration as “one of the most important challenges being faced by Irish society”.

2. ANALYSIS OF REQUIREMENTS IN THE MEMBER STATE

2.1. The requirements in the Member State in relation to the baseline situation

The integration of immigrant communities has been underway in an informal manner for many years. The catalyst for this work was originally the needs presented by refugees and asylum seekers to community organisations, NGOs and local and regional statutory providers. NGO/community responses have unavoidably struggled to meet the ancillary social and cultural needs of these new communities. Over time, as the makeup of the inflows moved away from asylum seekers and towards other immigrants, this NGO/community involvement has adapted accordingly.

The requirements to respond to the present situation are as set out in Migration Nation , referred to above. These do not explicitly distinguish between the various categories of immigrant and envisage that integration measures must be directed towards EEA nationals migrating to Ireland (not eligible for assistance from this Fund) as well as towards third-country nationals.

That said, it is recognised that EEA nationals migrating here will come in exercise of their Treaty rights and, so, will generally do so to access employment. In taking up employment, they will already have surmounted a major single integration hurdle but will often have other integration needs centred on language and general familiarisation with a country that is new to them. The same considerations apply to third-country nationals who migrate to Ireland on the basis of a work permit. Other third-country nationals will have a greater need for support because they may find it difficult to access the labour market in the first place. These include refugees, persons given subsidiary protection, resettled persons (none of which categories are covered by the Integration Fund), persons given permission to remain under the Irish Born Child Scheme and persons given permission to remain having been in the asylum process.

The requirements of third-country nationals covered by this Fund include the following:

a) assistance in accessing employment. This would apply to third-country nationals who received permission to remain in Ireland on the basis of having an Irish-born child having been in the asylum process and other persons given permission to remain on discretionary grounds having been unsuccessful asylum seekers:

b) promotion of the integration of third-country nationals into Irish society in other ways, particularly in terms of their becoming familiar with Irish life, values, institutions, public services etc.

A central principle is that of mainstreaming in the sense that immigrants should avail of services and programmes on the same basis as the host population as this, in itself, promotes integration although targeted services will be needed in the short-term in some situations.

2.2. The operational objectives of the Member State designed to meet its requirements

Significant funding will be channelled to local authorities to promote integration at a local level through activities undertaken by the authorities themselves and assistance given by them to local groups. Up to now, central government, in the form of the Office of the Minister for Integration and prior to its establishment RIA, has involved itself in funding small, local groups and this could be better done by local authorities with their more detailed knowledge of their own areas. In 2008, €1 million was offered to local authorities for this purpose and this funding is being disbursed currently.

Funding will be given to major national sporting organisations to assist them in integrating non-nationals into their activities because this is a good way to facilitate newcomers to become involved in Irish society. In 2008, €500,000 was spent on this.

Political parties will be funded to facilitate them in the integration of non-nationals. In Ireland, EU nationals can vote in European Parliament elections while all non-nationals can vote in local authority elections. It will, therefore, be timely to take measures to facilitate the participation of immigrants in the European Parliament and local elections which take place in 2009.

In addition, other measures will be taken to encourage civic participation of third-country nationals.

A strategy to assist faith-based groups to promote integration will be developed as the activities of these groups are very important to many immigrants.

It is envisaged that the funding initiatives outlined above will, subject to ongoing review, last for 5 years at which point the situation will be re-evaluated and new initiatives developed as necessary.

It is necessary to keep the protection of all migrants’ rights under review so that they do not suffer discrimination in the workplace or in other areas, their working conditions are in accordance with the law, remedies are available to them where their rights are breached and they are not blamed by sections of the host population who may see them as serving to undermine employment rights.

A Ministerial Council will be established which will (a) advise the Minister for Integration on issues faced by immigrants, including third-country nationals, and in particular will facilitate immigrants themselves in communicating their concerns to government, (b) examine the issues and challenges associated with integration, and (c) review progress in the area on a regular basis. This is a variation on what was originally proposed in Migration Nation .

Measures to equip third-country nationals with knowledge of Irish society, values, institutions etc. and to facilitate resolution of inter-cultural issues that may arise will be promoted.

A focus will be placed on the integration of third-country nationals with specific needs who may find it difficult to respond adequately to general integration measures.

Policies and measures will be evaluated as to their effect in promoting integration. There will be exchange of information and experience with other Member States in this area.

Policies and measures will be changed in the light of their evaluation and learning from other Member States.

3. STRATEGY TO ACHIEVE THE OBJECTIVES

A description of how the Fund contributes to meeting the requirements, which priorities have been chosen and why?

Because Ireland is relatively new as a destination for immigration including that of third-country nationals and our integration efforts are only in their infancy, all four priorities set out in the Annex to the Commission Decision of 21/VIII/2007 are of interest to us. Three priorities must be pursued as laid down by the Commission Decision adopting the strategic guidelines.

Priority 1: Implementation of actions designed to put the “Common Basic Principles for immigrant integration policy in the European Union” into practice

The following objectives and measures will contribute to the achievement of the operational objectives set out above and are targeted at third-country nationals.

Integration of third-country nationals including civic participation

An objective of the strategy is to promote the integration of third-country nationals in terms of helping them become familiar with Irish society, values, institutions, public services etc. (Language training for adults is not specifically covered in this Programme because a report was commissioned on this matter and it has not yet been published nor have decisions been taken on it.)

The target groups will comprise third-country nationals, primarily those who are newly arrived.

Actions will include part-time civic orientation courses for new third-country nationals which will facilitate their short–term integration (e.g. knowledge of essential public services, rights and entitlements) and long-term integration (history, institutions, democratic process, common European values etc.)

Outputs:number of programmes assisted; number and category of third-country nationals participating;

Outcomes:knowledge of Irish society etc. on the part of participants.

Impact:participants better adapted to take part in Irish life.

Third-country nationals with specific needs

An objective of the strategy is to cater for the integration needs of third-country nationals who have specific needs. This is of relevance to Specific Priority 2 of the Commission Decision adopting the strategic guidelines.

The target group will be third-country nationals with specific needs e.g. women, parents, young people, and persons who are vulnerable for different reasons.

Actions will include integration projects addressing the specific needs of the groups in question, for example, mentoring projects which will promote contact with the host community and facilitate the third-country-nationals’ integration having regard to their situation, projects to involve third-country national parents with Irish parents in representational/partnership role in relation to their children’s education and projects focussing on youth.

Outputs: number of projects; number of groups targeted; number of participants; specific needs of participants.

Outcomes: participants’ ability to take part successfully in programmes enhanced; participants better able to deal with their specific situation; participants more satisfied with life in Ireland.

Impact: participants better adapted to take part in Irish life.

Inter-cultural dialogue

An objective of the strategy will be to promote intercultural and inter-religious dialogue involving Irish and other EU nationals and third-country nationals. This is of relevance to Specific Priority 4.

The target group will be third-country nationals, Irish and EU citizens and immigrant support groups.

Actions will include setting up new structures and mechanisms for this purpose, including strengthening the capacity of NGOs to facilitate such dialogue.

The Ministerial Council, referred to earlier, will discharge this role in relation to immigrants generally but the actions under this objective will be targeted at third-country nationals specifically.

Outputs: number of bodies/projects created for this purpose; number of bodies assisted; number and categories of EU and third-country nationals participating; issues the subject of dialogue and possible resolution.

Outcomes: new shared understanding of issues or, at least, a better mutual understanding; occasions for exchange on inter-cultural and inter-religious issues increased; understanding of integration as a two-way process.

Impact: better accommodation of diverse groups in society; development of a shared identity despite cultural or religious differences.

Priority 2: Development of Indicators and evaluation methodologies to assess progress, adjust policies and measures and to facilitate co-ordination of comparative learning

An objective of the strategy will be to ascertain the effectiveness or otherwise of the entire range of measures taken to promote the integration of third-country nationals and the relative effectiveness of the efforts of the various actors involved with integration both in the public sector and voluntary bodies.

The target group will be third-country and Irish nationals.

Actions will include surveys of third-country nationals to assess their integration needs, the extent of their exposure to integration measures and their response to such measures and surveys of the host population to assess their attitudes to third-country nationals and their views on the degree of integration achieved.

Outputs: number and types of surveys conducted; conclusions and recommendations based on the results.

Outcomes:knowledge on the part of policy makers of the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency and adequacy of the integration measures being taken; new approaches developed as necessary.

Impact: A more appropriate portfolio of integration measures in response to the needs of third-country-nationals and the host community.

Priority 3: Policy capacity building, co-ordination and inter-cultural competence building in the Member States across the different levels and departments of government

An objective of the strategy will be to improve capacity for policy making in relation to integration of third country nationals at national and local levels, to improve competence at different levels of government to respond to the needs of third-country nationals in a culturally appropriate manner and to promote the mainstreaming of the integration perspective in all relevant policies at the different levels of government, recognising also that different categories of third-country national have different integration needs.

The target group will be personnel in central and local government.

Actions will include establishing mechanisms for exchange and consultation, conducting research on existing practice, generating proposals for new approaches and training in intercultural competence.

Outputs:new bodies established for the above purpose; extent of their activity; research reports; number of seminars and courses organised.

Outcomes:knowledge of existing practice at all levels of government; development of best practice proposals.

Impact: Better integration policies. Mainstreaming of integration in all relevant policies. Interculturally-competent government bodies.

Priority 4: Exchange of experience, good practice and information on integration between Member States

Integration at local level

An objective of the strategy will be to promote the sharing of experience with one or more Member States on integration at the municipal level.

The target group will be Irish local authorities which have engaged in integration measures and which are in a position to share their experiences in that regard with counterpart bodies in other Member States and to learn from them.

Actions will include conferences and specific projects in which Irish local authorities would co-operate with their counterparts in other Member States to develop good practice.

Outputs: number of projects; number of conferences; number of reports published giving the results of this collaboration.

Outcomes: participants and other local authorities, including partners in other Member States, better equipped to promote integration in their areas.

Impact: better integrated communities.

Needs of specific vulnerable groups
An objective of the strategy will be to learn from the experience of other Member States in promoting the integration of specific groups whose needs may not be appropriately met by general integration efforts. Where some groups are shown not to be integrating satisfactorily into Irish society, the experiences of other Member States in responding to this type of challenge will be examined. This is relevant to Specific Priority 2.

The target group will be third-country nationals with specific needs who are shown to be disadvantaged in terms of their integration into society.

Actions will centre on research into the situation of the group(s) in question in Ireland and at least one other Member State.

Outputs: research papers and report(s); group(s) covered.

Outcomes: identification of vulnerable groups; better perspective on the appropriate responses from policy makers and service providers.

Impact: reduction in the disadvantage experienced by the groups in question; more integrated society.

4. COMPATIBILITY WITH OTHER INSTRUMENTS

An indication of how this strategy is compatible with other regional, national and Community instruments

European Community

This strategy serves to implement the Common Basic Principles. This is particularly so in respect of Priority 1 but is also true of the objectives and actions under the other Priorities which reflect to a large degree the Common Basic Principles.

The Office of the Minister for Integration is the responsible authority for this Programme. It discharges the same role in respect of the European Refugee Fund and is thus well-positioned to ensure complementarity of the activities carried out under each Fund.

The responsible authority is a participant in the monitoring committee for the European Social Fund.

This Office is also a public beneficiary body in respect of a project, Employment for People from Immigrant Communities, co-financed by the European Social Fund. This project, being directly concerned with preparing immigrants for employment, complements the actions under this Programme which focus on other areas of integration. A member of the responsible authority’s staff regularly meets with the board of the beneficiary body under this initiative.

National

The Programme for Government 2007-2012, agreed by the political parties which formed the Government, contains a commitment to effective integration and sets out a number of actions including the development of a national integration policy and the appointment of a Minister of State to implement the policy.

The statement on integration strategy and diversity management, Migration Nation, has already been referred to above. The strategy set out in this Programme is part of this broader approach to integration set out in Migration Nation.

Section 36 of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2008, which is currently before the National Parliament, provides that one of the standard eligibility requirements for the granting of long-term residence permission is that the foreign national has satisfied the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, in such manner as may be prescribed, that he or she has made reasonable efforts to integrate into Irish society. This is the first time such a requirement has been imposed in this area. The strategy set out in this Programme will facilitate third-country nationals in satisfying this requirement.

Pobal is a not-for-profit company with charitable status that manages programmes on behalf of the Irish Government and the EU. Pobal is the delegated authority for this Fund. Since it manages programmes on behalf of the Government and the EU and will be in a position to ensure compatibility with other programmes.

Regional

Irish local authorities are increasingly concerning themselves with integration of the new communities which have arrived in their areas sometimes in significant numbers and over a relatively short period of time. Some are researching and publishing strategies in that regard. The strategy in this Programme is complementary with these activities.

5. FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF THE STRATEGY

The publication of the programme

The programme will be published on www.justice.ie and on the website of the Office of the Minister for Integration when it is operative shortly. It will be circulated to non governmental and other relevant organisations. A Call for proposals will be published in the national media.

The approach chosen to implement the principle of partnership

The Responsible Authority consulted the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, the National Consultative Committee on Racism and Interculturalism and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment in relation to the drafting of the Multi-Annual Programme. The voluntary sector, non–governmental organizations and Partnership Companies were also consulted.

A partnership committee will be established to oversee implementation of this Programme. This will include representatives of the implementing authorities for the Fund and the European Refugee Fund, the managing authority of the European Social Fund, Pobal and the NGO sector.

6. INDICATIVE FINANCING PLAN

Community Contribution

Overall financing plan

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