A ground-breaking new interfaith project – Fáilte Balbriggan – was launched on 16 December in North County Dublin by local TD and Minister for Food and Horticulture, Trevor Sargent, and Archbishop John Neill.

A collaborative project operated by the Church Mission Society Ireland, the Health Services Executive and the Vincentian Refugee Centre, Fáilte Balbriggan will provide a drop-in centre, information, and educational services for the large number of immigrants and asylum seekers living in the area.

Fáilte Balbriggan is based on the original Vincentian Refugee Centre in Phibsboro on Dublin’s Northside that was founded 10 years ago in response to the needs of the growing number of refugees and asylum seekers living in the inner city.

Now with a large immigrant population resident in North County Dublin, funding has been secured from the European Commission’s Refugee Fund (administered by Pobal), CMS Ireland, the HSE and the VRC.

Speaking in advance of the launch Minister Sargent said, “I am delighted to attend the opening of this extremely worthwhile project that has been supported by my colleague the Minster for Integration, Conor Lenihan TD.

“This former schoolhouse and teacher’s accommodation was my home during the 1980’s when I was Principal here at St. George’s N.S. which has now grown and moved to new premises nearby.  I am delighted therefore to launch this innovative and welcome project in a building dating from 1859 which means so much to me personally.

“Fáilte Balbriggan offers refugees and immigrants a friendly environment where they can come and avail of a wide range of support and services which will help them to integrate into Irish society. The Centre also facilitates meetings between individuals and groups who are in similar situations and helps them to develop friendships and contacts.

“This is exactly the type of service that supports the vision statement that the Government has outlined which will help us achieve successful integration of the new and established communities in Ireland.  We are determined not to allow people to become marginalised, instead we must provide support and services to them to allow them to make a positive contribution to Irish society while also improving their quality of life,” concluded the Minister. 

Sister Breege Keenan, Administrator of the Vincentian Refugee Centre, added “Fáilte Balbriggan is an innovative example of ecumenism at work for the benefit of many of our marginalised and vulnerable immigrant community.

“The centre and the services it provides are a great example of how different churches, state organisations and social services can work together to provide a place for refugees, asylum seekers and immigrants to meet and interact with each other and members of the local population.

“Many vulnerable immigrants come to Ireland hoping for a better life. However, they can face a number of challenges to integration and as a result often become isolated and cut off from other people.

“I am delighted that we were able to receive funding from the European Commission’s Refugee Fund as well as the HSE and CMS Ireland and to have Minister Sargent here with this morning.”

The Fáilte Balbriggan Centre will be the home to a drop in centre with evening opening hours that will be a base for the provision of services including a dedicated point of contact and introduction point to a range of local statutory and voluntary organisations including: Community Welfare Officers; Public Health Nurses; Schools; FAS; GAA Clubs; Soccer Clubs and Accommodation advice. Other services will include; educational advice and referral; employment seeking assistance; a Home work club including a local one to one mentoring programme to encourage integration and the provision of space for groups to meet and interact.