New team will engage with communities prior to refugees moving in

Premises housing refugees and people seeking international protection have previously attracted protests including the blockade in May at the Magowna Hotel in Inch, Co Clare. Picture: Eamonn Farrell/Rolling News

A new team set up by the Government to engage with communities ahead of refugees moving into their towns and villages is to become operational this week, the Irish Examiner has learned.

Eibhlin Byrne is the new national lead for civic engagement on the community engagement team, sources have said. Ms Byrne is also civic engagement lead for the Department of Integration’s rapid build programme.