THE GOVERNMENT yesterday pledged almost €1.4 million in funding for social integration projects run by sports organisations, church groups and local authorities.
Minister of State for Integration Conor Lenihan said that he had approved grants of €235,000 for the Football Association of Ireland, €185,000 for Basketball Ireland and €85,000 for the GAA.
A further €783,569 will be divided between 13 local authorities, with the largest grant going to Dublin City Council (€250,000). Fingal will receive €115,000, while Cork City Council has been allocated almost €39,000.
A further grant of €77,300 will be made to the Inter-Church Committee on Social Issues.
The Office of Minister for Integration suffered a funding cut of 26 per cent in the October Budget, resulting in the withdrawal of a commitment to fund integration efforts through political parties and the shelving of a plan to establish an integration taskforce.
However, commenting on yesterday's grants, Mr Lenihan said that the funding for local authorities would last for five years, as the bodies played a major role in providing service for immigrants.
"In the current challenging climate it is important that the support for new communities and host communities continues," he said.
"It is vitally important that we get the integration process right in Ireland in order to build a diverse and cohesive society that can continue to attract investment," Mr Lenihan added.
