This article was first published on December 19^th, 2008.

Report Launch:
‘Community Profile & Needs Analysis of New Communities in Co. Monaghan’

The Partnership commissioned report titled ‘Community Profile & Needs Analysis of New Communities in Co. Monaghan’ was officially launched on Thursday 11th December. The research was by a collaboration of different groups all of whom work with and support foreign nationals.

Development Team Leader Mr. Peter McArdle congratulated all involved in the research which produced a very substantial document with very clear and important recommendations. He remarked that work on some of the recommendations had already begun in earnest through the Integration Project led by Mick Dunne, such as provision of English Language Training, Intercultural events, Diversity Awareness Training and the production of an Information Booklet for people from new communities. He also complimented Finbarr Fitzpatrick from Business Improvement Solutions who did the research.

Finbarr gave an overview of the research and focused on areas such as health, employment, education and gave a breakdown of the population profile, having surveyed 100 foreign nationals from all parts of the county, - representative samples from Eastern European countries, asylum seekers and undocumented migrants.

Mr. Clement Esebamen, Senior Policy Advisor in the Office of the Minister for Integration commended the work being done by Partnerships and other local development agencies and specifically mentioned the great work being done by the various Integration Projects funded through the OM I. While future funding for these projects remains a concern he hoped that the learning achieved through these projects would not be lost.

Ms. Anna Rooney of Culture Link Ltd gave a personal account of her experience since arriving in Monaghan from Russia 9 years ago. Hers is a real success story in terms of integrating into the local community. She saw the key part of integrating into local communities as simply asking foreign nationals to get involved in various community activities.

Niamh O’Sullivan of Integrating Ireland outlined what she would like to see as the next steps in further implementing the recommendations, including the continuation of the Integration Project. The Research Advisory Committee will be reconvened in the New Year to look at implementing more of the recommendations and to build on the excellent work done to date through initiatives such as the Partnership’s Integration Project.