‘Buddy’ system to help International Protection Seekers

By Sean Moriarty

Killarney Chamber is proposing a “buddy” system to help war refugees and International Protection applicants integrate into local life.

The idea was put forward by outgoing Chamber President Niall Kelleher at the President’s Lunch in the Killarney Plaza Hotel on Friday last.

Mr Kelleher told the assembled audience that “the town’s struggle to cope with the volume of refugees and asylum seekers and the knock-on impact it has caused for the providers of wrap-around services such as medical care, meeting educational needs and the offer of community supports by under-pressure organisations like the Killarney Asylum Seekers Initiative” is “a concern”.

He called for greater communication lines to be established with International Protection Accommodation Services and other Government agencies involved in the care of refugees.

He, like many other local stakeholders, met with Minister Roderic O’Gorman last week.

“I stressed the need for a proper, well thought-out and practical plan so we can make informed decisions – the right decisions – going forward,” he said.

“Chamber is currently examining ways to further assist with the integration of our Ukrainian guests and, working with the other support agencies, we will explore possibilities to help them settle in any way we can.

“One proposal being explored is a ‘buddy’ arrangement, helping them to overcome language barriers and other issues and leading to employment opportunities which will have the double impact of boosting their self-esteem and solving ongoing problems on the ground with the recruitment of staff.”