Minister Conor Lehihan approves payment to South Dublin County Council

PRESS RELEASE ISSUED 10^TH DECEMBER 2008

MINISTER FOR INTEGRATION CONOR LENIHAN APPROVES PAYMENT TO SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

On the 4^th December 2008 the Minister for Integration Conor Lenihan T.D. approved payment of 85,000 to South Dublin County Council to promote the integration of legally resident non-nationals in South Dublin County.

The end of the 20^th and the beginning of the 21^st centuries has been called the age of migration. As a consequence, many of the cities and towns throughout Ireland are becoming increasingly multicultural as the ethnic profile of many communities and workplaces begins to change and diversify. One of the High Level Goals of the National Action Plan for Social Inclusion and the National Development Plan 2007 - 2013 is to develop strategies aimed at achieving the integration of newcomers to our society. Integration is one of the most important challenges faced by South Dublin County Council over the next few years. One of the main objectives of the Council is to facilitate inter agency collaboration and initiatives to promote integration in the county.

In 2006 approximately 10% of Irelands population of 4.2 million wereimmigrants.

The measures that South Dublin County Council proposes to implement are as follows:

Schools Programme/ European Week Against Racism/Social Inclusion Week

South Dublin County Council Internship Scheme

Golf Programme for Young People Personal Development through sport

Intercultural Garden for Members of the New Communities

New Tenancy advisory/introduction programme

Sports Arts programmes with Towers Project

Film and Dance Projects

For further information please contact:

Maria Finn

Social Inclusion Officer

Social Inclusion Unit

Community Services Department

Tel: 01 4149270/086 3803060

ENDS