Ms Gráinne O'Hara:

I can respond from the point of view of sending refugees. I fully agree that resettlement is not easy to achieve. It presents cultural challenges. It is very important that refugees be properly prepared for the resettlement process. For example, they need to know where they are going and what to expect. A degree of counselling should be undertaken at the departure point. In my current role I am more involved on that side of the equation. However, this leads on naturally to the issues the Deputy raised about the importance of having proper reception and integration mechanisms available at the point of arrival. We sometimes talk about resettlement in a casual way and only in terms of numbers, but there is more to resettlement that just numbers. Cultural adaptability and reception are significant factors in the success of resettlement programmes, not only for the benefit of the refugees and their family members who are the direct beneficiaries of being accepted on a resettlement programme into a country such as Ireland but also for the credibility of resettlement programmes in the eyes of the general population of hosting and receiving states. It is only with the support of the general public that programmes of resettlement can be maintained and have a positive impact.

I could not agree more with the comments Deputy Crowe made about the importance of considering and analysing critically what has and has not worked regarding reception to constantly strive to improve resettlement programmes.

Regarding the Irish programme, I used the word "modest" several times but I coupled it with the words "not insignificant". Considering the size of Ireland and of our population, 4,000 does not sound like a huge number in the context of the general numbers I have mentioned to the committee, but that 4,000 means an opportunity for 4,000 individuals - women, children, family members - to come to somewhere like Ireland for a fresh start. It is modest but definitely not insignificant.