Resettlement is a sometimes unrecognized yet compelling instrument and symbol of international solidarity and burden sharing to find a durable solution for refugees who are unable to return to their country of origin for fear of continued persecution and do not have the option to stay in their country of asylum.

Worldwide, millions of refugees continuously flee from their home countries in search of a safe haven. In cooperation with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), IOM has played a vital role in refugee resettlement around the world for more than 65 years.
For people in need of international protection, resettlement in a third country is a durable solution.

Every year, Ireland is offering resettlement places to a certain number of vulnerable refugees, in need of international protection.

In December 2019, the then Minister for Justice and Equality, Charles Flanagan TD, and his colleague, the then Minister of State with responsibility for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton TD, announced plans to welcome 2,900 refugees between 2020 and 2023 through a combination of resettlement and community sponsorship. The arrivals will largely comprise of Syrian refugees resident in Jordan and Lebanon, along with a pilot group of 150 Eritrean refugees resident in Ethiopia.

Working in collaboration with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), IOM supports the Government of Ireland, namely the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP) of the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, with travel and other resettlement related services.

IOM carries out pre-departure health assessments based on the guidelines received from the Health Services Executive (HSE). Health assessment protocols are based on the legislation and/or best practices of resettlement country governments and are performed prior to a refugee’s departure for resettlement. Pre-departure refugee health assessments are intended to ensure that people travel in a safe and dignified manner, are fit to travel, receive appropriate assistance when required, and do not pose a hazard to other travellers or receiving communities.

Moreover, IOM provides assistance pre-departure through the provision of facilities for selection and cultural orientation missions of the Irish Government. Cultural orientation prepares refugees by providing practical information on country of destination and assists refugees in setting realistic goals and to learn what to expect post-arrival. IOM provides pre-embarkation briefings which prepare refugees for their flight, including what to expect at the airport, in‐flight, while in transit, and upon arrival in country of destination. This helps first‐time travellers feel less anxious and more prepared for the journey.

When it comes to travel, IOM ensures that refugees have the necessary documentation to allow them to travel which can include collecting travel documents/visas from Irish Consulates/Embassies while also arranging for exit permissions, as needed. IOM will book the domestic and international flights and provide assistance at all airports including pre-departure, during transit as well as on arrival in Dublin, where IOM assists at immigration and customs checks.

In 2019, 783 refugees travelled to Ireland through the resettlement programme. Since 2015, when Ireland first committed to accepting up to 4000 into the State, 3,788 people have arrived through various means including Resettlement (1,913 individuals), EU Relocation Programmes (1,022 individuals), Humanitarian Admission Programme 2018/2019 – IHAP (740 individuals) and through other programmes such as the Search and Rescue Missions, Unaccompanied Minors from Greece and the Calais Special Project (113 individuals). For more information on this, and also the Community Sponsorship Programme, please see the IRPP’s information page. IOM has provided assistance to the Irish Government on all these programmes.