Liz is an Executive Librarian with Galway County Libraries, based in Westside Library. She has worked extensively with disadvantaged groups in the community. Liz will talk about the library's involvement with the Syrian Refugee Resettlement programme. She will look issues with resettlement such as Education, Transport and Health and the services that Galway Libraries will be providing.

1. Syrian Refugee
Re-settlement Programme
Inter-Departmental Approach 2016/2017
Galway County Council

2. What is this all about?
 ‘A refugee is someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because
of persecution, war, or violence. A refugee has a well-founded fear of
persecution for reasons of race, religion, nationality, political opinion or
membership in a particular social group.’ UNHCR
 An asylum seeker is a person who flees his or her home country,
'spontaneously' enters another country and applies for asylum, i.e. the right
to international protection, The terms asylum seeker and refugee are often
confused: an asylum-seeker is someone who says he or she is a refugee, but
whose claim has not yet been definitively evaluated. UNHCR
 Ireland signed up to the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees
and its 1967 Protocol. UNHCR's supervisory role in relation to compliance with
the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees is recognised in
national legislation (The International Protection Act 2015).

6. Program Background
 Programme is run under the auspices of the Community, Enterprise and
Economic Development Unit of Galway County Council.
 Inter-agency group established in September 2016 with representatives from:
 Irish Refugees Protection Programme
 Department of Justice
 Department of Social Protection
 HSE
 TUSLA, Youth Work Ireland
 GRETB
 Council Departments including Housing, Corporate & Libraries
 Islamic Community representatives

7. Programme Development
 Initial development was cultural awareness training and staff inductions in
relation to Arabic/Irish custom differences.
 I was responsible for the development of these inductions which were
delivered to Director of Services, County Council Staff and interested parties
who would be working closely with the Syrians once they arrived.
 Primary issues were then explored through the sub-committee meetings which
sought to address:
 Education – access to, facilities, resources, materials required, adequate funding
and special supports to ensure first transition ran smoothly.
 Housing – location, facilities, materials required
 Transport – to/from locations from the holding sites, ongoing support for hospital
visits etc.
 Health – ensuring adequate supports, translation services, health screening updates
were completed prior to arrival in County Galway.

8. Timeframes
 Initial meetings September 2016
 Staff Inductions October 2016
 Sub-Committee Meetings focusing on primary supports were almost weekly
 November 2016 for proposed first arrival
 January 2017 – Review of supports and feedback
 February 2017 second arrivals
 Cultural Community event April 2017
 June 2017 third arrivals

9. Where is the link with Libraries?
 More Librarian skills then Libraries initially. Research to support the sub-
committee, community links needed to be established and libraries were
considered to be a focus point for many communities.
 Location – several libraries welcomed the refugees, memberships were
arranged, access to internet and subsequent services.
 Libraries provide access to book stock to assist with English language
development, providing cultural information, giving people opportunities to
meet others within the communities.
 Access to Digital classes are been explored. Material support – possible
development of I.T. infrastructure support including tablets etc.
 Funding NOT coming from Library services

10. Ongoing Support and Issues
 Department of Justice provided ‘positive’ feedback to the initial roll-out in
Galway.
 Majority of Communities welcomed the Syrian refugees with minimal conflict,
issues such as these were kept to a minimum and received little media
coverage
 Short-term issues included:
 Health
 Housing
 linking with creches and schools
 Attendance at English classes

11.  What can you do to assist?
 Become aware of the refugee communities in your area
 Engage with the relevant authorities who are supporting the transition, attend
information meetings if they are in your area, attend cultural awareness days
 Volunteer appropriately
 Longer-term issues that will need ongoing support and continued
engagement:
 Training and the subsequent upskilling or professional recognition of current
qualifications
 Driving and access to vehicles
 Education

12. Further details:
Liz Keane Kelly BSc.Econ ILS EMBA
ekeane@galwaycoco.ie
lizkean@gmail.com
+353 87 8506732