Welcome to the website of the Refugee Information Service (RIS). Over the years we have embarked on a process of transformation and repositioning our work in line with our overall mission as a specialist nationwide information and advocacy provider for asylum seekers, refugees, people with leave to remain and people with subsidiary protection.
Particularly, we have put a lot of energy into providing accurate and up-to-date information on the rights and entitlements of people in the migrant community that we come in contact with in our information and advocacy clinics in Dublin and Galway. We have also contributed to developments at local, national and international scenes in the areas of immigration, protection, social inclusion and integration.
In pursuit of these objectives, we have also redesigned and developed our website to meet up to the growing demand for fast and effective information on issues that concern our client groups. We hope that you will find our new website easy to navigate and user friendly and we will welcome any suggestions for improvement from time to time.
Have a wonderful browsing experience!
Josephine Ahern
Chief Executive Officer
Press Release 14/05/2010
The Integration Centre today engaged with people from immigrant backgrounds at the first meeting of the Centre’s network of organisations in 2010, held at the New Oak Community Centre, Carlow.
During her address, CEO, Josephine Ahern said, ‘The Integration Centre provides a vehicle and platform for enhancing the integration of people from immigrant backgrounds across Ireland and it is important that we take opportunities such as the one presented at today’s meeting to listen and engage with people and to find out what their needs are and what barriers still exist to their feeling part of our local communities. Ms Ahern also noted that the population of each local authority area in Ireland now includes at least 10% of people from immigrant backgrounds and that this is more than 12% in Carlow.
‘There is a pressing need for government, business and the community to take the issues of integration seriously and to ensure that when people move into local communities that they are made to feel welcome. It is also important that the existing local community has opportunities to engage with newcomers in social, cultural, political, educational and business settings as it is through this type of interaction that real integration takes place’ she said.
Mr. Seamus O’Leary, Regional Development Officer with The Integration Centre said, ‘this event in Carlow is a good example of how The Integration Centre is working together with immigrant organisations through the provision of information and training to increase locally-based skills and to support people in their communities. The on-going involvement by local immigrant led organizations is also a real sign of integration in action.
During the meeting, The Integration Centre also delivered training for its member organisations on the Irish-born Child (IBC) 2010 Renewal Scheme and the Citizenship Application Processes.
-Ends-
Contact: Wale Mogaji, Head of Communications & Integration, on 01 645 3087/ 085 733 4367; wale.mogaji@ris.ie, or Helena Clarke Communications Officer, on 01 6453082; helena.clarke@integrationcentre.ie; www.integrationcentre.ie
Editor’s note
The Integration Centre is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. The Centre specializes in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels and provides regionalized information, advice and training services. The Centre conducts evidence-based research to influence positive changes in legislation, policy and practice and proactively engage with all sectors of society to achieve this. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our national network.
-1.JPG "Free Tickets to the Camogie Final For Immigrants")
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From the CEO: Monitoring Key to Understanding Immigrant Employment
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The Refugee Information Service has developed in the past years an expertise and reputation as a specialised training provider on issues related to immigration.
For information on our training service click here
The Integration Centre is pleased to announce the official launch of the organisation. The event will take place July 13th, in the O'Callaghan Mont Clare hotel, Merrion Sq, Dublin 2, from 12.30-2pm.
The RIS launched a new report on family reunification entitled The Challenges facing Refugees, Beneficiaries of Subsidiary Protection and Persons granted Leave to Remain as they seek reunification with their families in Ireland on Thursday 30th July. Family Reunification Report 2009:The challenges facing Refugees, Beneficiries of Subsidiary Protection and Persons granted Leave to Remain, as they seek reunification with their families in Ireland. Position Paper on Acces to Educuation: The Challenges and Obstacles facing Refugees, Persons with Leave to Remain and Persons granted Subsidiary Protection as they seek post-second level education in Ireland
'At Home in Ireland' An Integration Guide for Immigrant Youth and Parents
This unique guide provides a much needed resource for young immigrants and their parents by providing user-friendly and accessible information on language learning, family, feeling connected, education, employment and being a part of a community.
RIS report on FR receives national coverage
Family Reunification Report 2009
Position Paper on Access to Education
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