A dedicated crèche facility has been created at a refugee centre in west Waterford to cater for children of migrants awaiting permanent relocation, here.

It could be several more months before the Government secures extra accommodation to locate refugees and asylum seekers scheduled to come here from Greece, Italy and Lebanon.

Leo Varadkar has announced a 25% increase in the Back To School Allowance in one of his last actions as Social Protection Minister.

Concerns have been raised at the number of people from conflict zones, including Syria and Iraq, being refused family reunification visas or entry into Ireland.

Italy’s refusal to allow gardaí assess migrants on Italian soil before they are transferred here is stalling the Government’s commitment to take in 2,662 migrants by year’s end, according to the Department of Justice.

Ireland assisted in the relocation of just one refugee classed as an “unaccompanied minor”, from Greece between June 14 and July 11 of this year.

The Government has announced plans to resettle an extra 260 refugees from Lebanon who have been displaced by the Syrian conflict.

Up to 100 Syrian refugees are expected to begin arriving in Co Waterford over the next few months, with 25 expected to land before the year end.

A DNA database — promised more than eight years ago —will be up and running in the coming weeks, Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has said.

The Irish Red Cross is appealing for continued patience from the public as it works to put procedures in place to process the many offers of accommodation and help that have been pouring in for refugees.