Minister Joe O’Brien Welcomes New Funding for 70 Projects under the International Protection Integration Fund 2023 including Projects in Fingal

The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, today announced the 70 projects set to receive over €1.2 million in funding under the International Protection Integration Fund 2023. Several projects operating within the Fingal area were successful in their applications including, Cairde, Empower Local Development and Sanctuary Runners. The funding announced today will help enable community-based organisations such as these – in Fingal and across Ireland – to play a greater role in supporting the integration of International Protection applicants at local and national level.

Grants of up to €20,000 have been made available to groups in today’s announcement to support the range of projects providing additional services and supports to people seeking International Protection Since its inception in 2022 the International Protection integration Fund has supported 137 projects with grant funding of €2.8 million.

Welcoming the Funding, Joe O’Brien TD said:

“The International Protection Integration Fund is a significant tool to assist civil society organisations with their invaluable work on helping to integrate people who come to Ireland seeking International Protection.

Every day we see the positive impact that civil society organisations make in helping to foster diverse and vibrant communities whilst supporting individuals. I am acutely aware of the vast amounts of great work underway in my own constituency of Fingal to ensure that people seeking International Protection are offered practical supports and, importantly, warmth and friendship during a particularly difficult time in their lives. Projects like those awarded funding today are invaluable to ensuring this response is continued in communities like ours across Ireland and I am delighted to be able to name Fingal based projects among the nationwide awardees.”