A TOTAL of 24 Syrian refugees have been settled in Limerick on foot of a commitment which the city and county gave to the United Nations, a meeting of elected local authority members has been told.
Three families were settled in Newcastlewest while ten people were provided with accommodation in the city, a meeting of Limerick city and county council heard earlier this week.
And it is envisaged that up to 100 more people, including ten families will be arriving here before the end of the year, members of the local authority were told.
Officials told the members of the Home and Social Development Strategic Committee that the new Limerick residents are “settling in very well”.
Cllr Jerome Scanlan (FG) asked whether “there has been any assessment of their educational skills so they might fit into the workplace?”
He was told that “all the agencies are involved, including health and education. All those sort of issues are looked at”.
The news that migrants are settling in Limerick comes against a backdrop of the Irish Navy carrying out lie-saving operations.
The 57-member crew of the LE Róisín is being deployed to help those attempting to get access to Europe from war-torn countries.
So far this year, just over 1,200 people have died in the massive waterway according to the International Organisation for Migration.
Last year the LE Róisín pulled 8,000 people from the waters. CEO of the Immigrant Council of Ireland Brian Kiloran said the Irish Navy is making a significant effort on behalf of Ireland.
“The presence of the Irish Navy in the Mediterranean has been a tremendous source of pride for Ireland, but also has saved so many lives in so many crucial situations,” he said.
