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DUN LAOGHAIRE REFUGEE PROJECT/TIONSCNAMH DHUN LAOGHAIRE UM DHIDEANAITHE
Tax Number 960123OU/CHY14507
email : dunlaoghairerefugee@ireland.com
Overview - Dun Laoghaire Refugee Project (DRP)
Who are we and what do we do? We are a group of concerned people, living mainly in the greater Dun-Laoghaire area, who try to help refugees and asylum seekers, especially the young. Education and training are
priorities for these young people and for us. We don't have an office or employ staff. We are all volunteers.
Who are the Asylum Community. The asylum community that we help are persons:
- Waiting a decision on an application for asylum (asylum seekers);
- Granted a declaration by the Minister for Justice, Equity and Law Reform saying that they are refugees (refugees with status);
- Declared not to be refugees but who have applied to the Minister for leave to remain on humanitarian grounds;
- Waiting a decision on an application for humanitarian leave to remain.
They come, young men and women, from many unsettled troubled countries mainly in Africa such as Somalia, Congo, Rwanda....
When did the DRP begin and why? We began in June 2001, when the founder members met in Dun Laoghaire and decided to form an Association and Trust. There were then two hostels (Old School House and Sandycove House) for asylum seekers in Dun Laoghaire. Later on, hostels were opened at Killiney and at Newtown, Dun Laoghaire.
Where are our clients? Up to early 2006, we concentrated on the asylum seekers accommodated in the Dun-Laoghaire/Killiney area, of whom a large number were separated children (teenagers under 18) without parents/guardians, also referred to as "unaccompanied minors". Placement of these teenagers in secondary schools in the greater Dun Laoghaire area was an immediate priority, greatly helped by one former school principal and two secondary school teachers being among our volunteers. At 18, these young people were transferred to other hostels. By early 2006 all the hostels in the greater Dun Laoghaire area had been closed. We refer to these "aged out" young people now living in other parts of Dublin as our graduates: they and others from those hostels stay in contact with us. These are our clients.
Drop In Centre Thanks to the Dun Laoghaire Community Training Centre (DLCTC), the DRP has organised a "Drop in Centre" each week on Monday evening since June of 2005. In this way we keep in regular touch with our young graduates, manage and fund programmes (e.g. the important education and training programme), arrange for one to one discussions with individual asylum seekers who need advice, carry on weekly business (administration of programmes, accounting matters etc), and support a group of young asylum seekers PLUS (Please Let Us Stay) Group who have awaited decisions over long periods on their applications for leave to remain.
Legal and Tax: The DRP is made up of a Trust (Deed of Trust) and an Association (Constitution). The Trust has corporate status ("Scheme of Incorporation under the Charities Act 1973"). The Trust is tax exempt (No.CHY14507) and, also, is an 'eligible charity' for donations.
Help us!: As long as we have clients, we will need volunteers and funds. Please help!
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