Doras Luimni Bulletin

Bulletin: Issue 40

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New Resources Online
- Portlaoise Syrian Refugee Resettlement -

In February 2015 Doras Luimní began working on a Refugee Resettlement project in Portlaoise, supporting 13 Syrian families who recently arrived in Ireland under the Government's UN Resettlement Programme.

The following templates and documents were designed to assist the families to effectively integrate into local community life in Portlaoise and are available on our website:

Welcome to Portlaoise Guide
Resettlement, Integration and Capacity Building Map
Individual Resettlement Plan
Exit Handbook for Families
Family Advocate Handbook

View Documents

City Centre Community Network:
New Doras Luimní project

Doras Luimní are pleased to announce a new project that aims to support new communities and residents of Limerick city centre. This work has emerged from the findings of research carried out by Doras Luimní and supported by the Redemptorists community in late 2014. This in turn led to the establishment of the City Centre Community Network - a group comprised of relevant service providers and organisations operating in Limerick city centre.

The aim of the Network is to share information and resources among relevant service providers with regard to the needs of the city centre population.

In Limerick city centre, many areas are densely populated by migrants, including a large number of Doras Luimní service-users. In some city centre areas the migrant population is over 80%. Research identified some of the key issues and support services needed to address the challenges faced by residents.

New Doras Luimní staff member

Doras Luimní have recruited a Community Support Officer to work with and refer city centre residents to relevant services in Limerick. Raymond is a dedicated and experienced development worker, who moved to Ireland from Zimbabwe over 16 years ago.

Key duties of this role will be:
- Outreach to city centre residents;
- Facilitate access to information & services;
- Identify specific needs and gaps in service provision;
- Expand the City Centre Community Network.

If you would like further information on this project and the City Centre Community Network, please contact Raymond at r.muwaniri@dorasluimni.org or call 061310328.

Diablo - a play about Human Trafficking in Ireland

Doras Luimní are pleased to announce the forthcoming theatre performance of "Diablo" in Limerick on 19th October 2016.

"Diablo" is described as a powerful and controversial play about human trafficking in Northern Ireland, which made its debut in Belfast last year. Following successful shows in Edinburgh Fringe festival and rave reviews, we are delighted to see the show coming to Limerick.

Artistic Director and writer of this play, Patricia Downey, has captured all the key aspects of the problem of human trafficking in this one-hour performance.

Date: 19th October 2016
Venue: Mary Immaculate College, Limerick

For more information, please contact Mariaam Bhatti at m.bhatti@dorasluimni.org or call 061310328.

Racism increase in 2015: ENAR report

The latest report from ENAR Ireland, of which Doras Luimní is a member, highlights the volume and detail of 165 racist incidents reported from July - December 2015, via the online reporting mechanism www.ireport.ie

A total of 165 racist incidents reported from July - December 2015.
37 serious offences were reported. Racist language was used in thirty incidents classified this way. Twenty-three of these were committed by strangers, of those 18 by male perpetrators.

Assault appeared in 25 reports, including 7 with injury. 13 cases involved serious threat to harm or kill.

No incidents of fire or arson were reported in this period.

Damage was involved in 16 (10%) cases, including against business (2), houses (6), vehicles (6), windows (4) and missiles (3). Personal effects were damaged or lost in 6 cases.

Abuse was reported in 88 percent of cases, with 41 cases of repeated harassment (28%) and 3 cases of threat (26%).

Verbal abuse was reported in 57 percent of cases.

Discrimination in service and refusal of entry were reported in 18 percent of cases.

Two cases concerned sexual harassment, and one concerned rape.

Graffiti appeared in 8 reports, the display of racist symbols or insignia, and other racist materials, in 18 reports, and written abuse aimed at individuals in the form of letters, emails or text messages in 13 reports. Offensive ‘jokes’ appeared in 22 reports, in all but 4 cases coinciding with other forms of verbal and physical abuse.

Just 34 (21%) reports in this six month period concerned racism in the media, or perpetrated through social media, similar in number, but proportionately less than in all previous periods. This is driven by a higher proportion of reports concerning racism in face-to-face encounters.

View Report

Report Racism

The past 12 months has seen an increase in the number of racist incidents being reported in Limerick and throughout Ireland. If you have experienced racism, please report the incident to the Gardaí and/or to Doras Luimní.

You can also report the incident, whether you have directly experienced racism or if you have witnessed the incident, via an online reporting mechanism that is managed by ENAR Ireland.

To report a racist incident online, please visit www.ireport.ie to complete a short form, outlining the details of the incident.

Report Racism

New research on Challenges of Transitioning from Direct Provision

Transitioning from Direct Provision is one of the biggest challenges currently facing many of our clients in Limerick.

Doras Luimní welcome this new research report, carried out by UCD, TCD and the Irish Refugee Council, which clearly expresses the difficulties faced by former asylum seekers as they try to leave Direct Provision and rebuild their lives within the community.

Key Recommendations arising from the report:

This report echoes numerous other studies in calling for an end to Direct Provision. In the meantime, to help prepare and support those living in DP prior to transitioning, improvements to the system need to be made, including the provision of self-catering facilities, increased payments, quicker processing times for asylum applications, permission to study and to work, increased psychosocial supports, and more support for cultural integration.
Those exiting Direct Provision with legal status should be given the same level of support that Programme Refugees receive on arrival in Ireland.
Upon receipt of status, people should be provided with clear written information, on what is needed to make the transition out of the Direct Provision system. Further verbal information, through a designated person, should also be available.
Once granted refugee status, subsidiary protection or leave to remain, people should be provided with a realistic timeframe for exiting Direct Provision hostels, especially given the current housing shortage.
The Reception and Integration Agency (RIA) should provide a standard reference to those exiting Direct Provision, in order to help them obtain rental accommodation.
Ensure that Rent Supplement is paid in a timely manner.
As soon as people receive their papers, they should be entitled to normal social welfare allowances instead of the Direct Provision payment.
A resettlement grant should be provided. It should be large enough to pay for a rental deposit, first month’s rent, and household essentials, such as bedding and kitchen utensils. Overall, every effort needs to be made to ensure that the process of transitioning out of Direct Provision hostels is poverty-proofed, especially considering that people involved have lived in poverty for many years while in the Direct Provision system.
An interdepartmental resettlement office should be established to provide both programme refugees and those exiting Direct Provision centres with the necessary supports to ease the challenges of transition and integration.
Customised educational and preparation for employment programmes, such as that provided by the Irish Refugee Council in collaboration with the National Learning Network need to be available to everyone leaving Direct Provision.
People exiting Direct Provision should have immediate access to the Back to Education Allowance. The criteria for eligibility need to be altered to ensure this.
People exiting Direct Provision should be provided with clear guidance and assistance in relation to the family reunification process. Family reunifications should be completed in a timely manner. Reunified families should be offered psychosocial support to help rebuild relationships, if necessary.

View Report

Online appointment system for registration with Immigration - from September 2016

The Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) has announced the introduction of an online appointment system, operational from 8th September 2016.

The new system will enable people to book an appointment for a time that suits them.

Visit www.inis.gov.ie for updates.

Until now, those registering have had to queue in person to get a ticket for an appointment time, often standing out in the cold from as early as 3am in order to be seen. This is a very welcome and long-awaited development, which will have a significant impact on the day-to-day lives of many.

For more information and to access the online system, visit the INIS website

Change to Employment Rights for non-EEA Students & Stamp 2 holders

*Update from INIS, with effect from 1 September 2016*

"From 1 September 2016 students holding a valid immigration stamp 2 permission will be permitted work 40 hours per week only during the months of June, July, August and September and from 15 December to 15 January inclusive. At all other times students holding Immigration permission Stamp 2 will be limited to working 20 hours per week."

Education Fund

With thanks to the Community Foundation of Ireland, Doras Luimní are supporting over 20 asylum seekers and refugees to access further education in the coming academic term. Wishing all students the very best of luck in their studies!

For more information on the Education Fund, please contact Aideen at a.roche@dorasluimni.org or call 061310328.

Free Training in September

Are you interested in taking part in free information and training sessions in the following issues?

Presentation skills
Budgeting
Opening a bank account
Healthy eating on a budget
Negotiation skills
Media awareness

Doras Luimní in partnership with AIB are facilitating these session at varioius dates in September. If you are interested in taking part, please contact Mariaam Bhatti at m.bhatti@dorasluimni.org or call 061310328.

Book Course

English classes

Our English classes have recommenced, welcoming a new group of learners for the academic term.

For details of how to apply for English classes and for start dates, please contact Helen O'Grady at Doras Luimní on Monday and Thursday mornings or visit our office for information.

In addition to our English classes, there are conversational English classes (Fáilte Isteach) available every Wednesday morning from 10am - 12pm in Christ Church hall (behind the Doras Luimní office) and all are very welcome to attend.

Please contact Doras Luimní at info@dorasluimni.org or call 061310328 for further details about learning English in Limerick.

If you have a story you would like to share with us or would like to feature your event, please contact Aideen at Doras Luimní at a.roche@dorasluimni.org.

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