UNHCR welcomes the decision of the Irish Government to admit 4000 persons under the resettlement and relocation programmes.

UNHCR warmly welcomes the establishment of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme announced by the Irish Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances Fitzgerald this morning.

Ireland will admit 4000 persons under new and existing resettlement and relocation programmes. UNHCR has called on EU Member States to make available 200,000 places (as a preliminary estimate) for the relocation of asylum seekers within the EU and the Irish commitment of 3,500 relocation places is an important contribution to the overall relocation programme. The remaining 520 refugees will be admitted under the Irish/UNHCR resettlement programme and UNHCR is ready to continue to support the Irish authorities in the implementation of these programmes.

Sophie Magennis, Head of Office with UNHCR Ireland said: "In recent weeks UNHCR has engaged closely with the Irish authorities, and the Office of the Refugee Applications Commissioner in particular, to prepare the procedures and mechanisms for the operation of the relocation programme. We look forward to continuing this close engagement with all relevant actors in preparation for the admissions under the programme."