The Waterford Migrant Integration Forum was formed as part of the National Migrant Strategy, and aims to identify needs, and improve community supports for the ‘New Irish’ across the City and County.

Chair of the Waterford Migrant Integration Forum, Uju Ekedozie, told WLR News that there are a number of areas they’ll be focusing on.

Chair of the Waterford Migrant Integration Forum Uju Ekedozie.

“The major thing we’ll look at addressing will be access to education,” she said, “we’ll look at.. migrants being able to work for themselves in Waterford, and we’ll also look at addressing anti-racism.”

She said many migrants have had positive experiences in Waterford.

“Waterford is a very, very welcoming City,” she said, “I know people who have moved from different counties to Waterford, because it’s a place where they’re accepted.”

Minister of State for Justice & Equality David Stanton, who attended the launch, said he was very impressed.

“This isn’t just a launch, it’s a lot more,” he said, “a lot of groups are on board, and there’s a sense they’ve done the groundwork.”