Maria Byrne (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Reference has already been made to the fact that today is UN World Refugee Day. I congratulate the University of Limerick on becoming a university of sanctuary. Yesterday, at the first Department of Justice and Equality citizenship event held at the University of Limerick, the president, Dr. Des Fitzgerald, made the announcement that the university would become a university of sanctuary. There will be initiatives to welcome asylum seekers and refugees into the university community. That is a very welcome initiative. A total of 17 refugees and asylum seekers will be in receipt of scholarships from September 2017. The university also stated there will be a three-year action plan to promote access and culture. The university has said the knowledge and commitment of refugees and asylum seekers will be a key driver in the movement to designate not only Limerick but the mid-west region as a place of sanctuary. That is very important, especially on UN World Refugee Day.