Community Integration

Ireland supports successful integration of new arrivals in the country through an “integration from day one” approach. This recognises that support needs can be greatest during the early years of adapting to life in a new country and that this is especially the case for people who have applied for, or received, International Protection, IRPP refugees, and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection.

Integration of these individuals centres on supporting them to engage with mainstream local services and build relationships with members of their local communities.

This local approach to integration makes use of existing organisations and initiatives, supported by co-ordination and collaboration across agencies and NGOs.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration supports integration measures through Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) and the Community Integration Forums (CIFs). It also administers funds to support local communities in their integration measures.

Local Authority Integration Teams (LAIT)

Every Local Authority has an integration team, known as a LAIT to support certain new arrivals into communities, for example, people who have applied for International Protection, refugees or people from Ukraine.

LAITs help people to get access to the supports and help that they need to participate in, and integrate into, Irish life.

They do this by connecting them to services that can help them to live independently in their community. For example, this means being able to access healthcare, English language supports, employment, volunteering opportunities and more. The LAITs provide ongoing supports, information, advice and guidance to their clients.

The teams do not replace mainstream service provision but support new arrivals in accessing services appropriate to their needs.

Many teams will also organise sporting events or information awareness programmes with local organisations in order to bring different groups from the community together and to celebrate the diverse population within the community.

LAIT staff are funded by the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, but are recruited and employed by each Local Authority. Each team has at least four staff, and some can have up to six.

Find out more about Local Authority Integration Teams and how to contact them.

Community Integration Forums (CIFs)

Every Local Authority also has a Community Integration Forum, which brings together both Government and Non-Government Organisations (NGOs), the voluntary and community groups and Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs). They coordinate a strategic community-led response to help people arriving in Ireland seeking international protection, fleeing war in Ukraine or with refugee status to settle into the area.

CIFs meet monthly, generally chaired by the County Manager or the Director of Community Services. CIFs have established sub-groups to focus on different issues, such as health, education and entry to the local workforce.

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and migration provides funding for the staff of the CIFs, who are employed by the local authorities.

More information on Community Integration Forums can be found on the Local Government website.

Funding support for Local Communities and Integration

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration oversees both national and EU integration funding in line with the Department’s migration, integration and anti-racism policies and strategies developed by the European Commission. It oversees the following open calls for national funding:

The Integration Fund

The National Integration Fund

The Ireland Against Racism Fund

The Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration also oversees funding calls which are co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union. The Department is the Managing Authority for the Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund (AMIF) in Ireland and also administers European Social Funding Plus (ESF+) funding via the Integration and Employment of Migrant Action. For more information click here.