Less than half of €15m fund for refugees drawn down

Less than half of the €15m in EU funds available to Ireland between 2007 and 2012 to support groups working with migrants, asylum seekers, and refugees was drawn down.

In the period, Ireland was allocated over €8m under the European Refugee Fund (ERF) and approximately €7m under the European Integration Fund (EIF).

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said in the period 2008 to 2012, 48% of the funding allocation under the ERF was drawn down, and that between 2007 and 2012, Ireland drew down 46% of the funding allocation under the EIF.