Politics « Thurles Information

Launch Of ‘Ireland Against Racism’ Fund Announced.

Ireland Against Racism Fund now open to applications from non-government and community organisations.
Up to €1 million will support projects that combat racism and promote racial equality.
Fund is key part of the National Action Plan Against Racism.

Applications are open for the 2025 Ireland Against Racism Fund. The fund, which is a key part of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR), will enable non-government and community organisations to provide projects and local initiatives that combat racism and promote racial equality.

Announcing the fund, Minister of State for Migration, Mr Colm Brophy said: “I am pleased to announce that applications can now be made for the 2025 round of the Ireland Against Racism Fund, with up to €1 million being made available for local and national projects to combat racism in Ireland.
There is no place for racism in our society. Every person who lives in Ireland has a right to live free of racial discrimination. This funding underlines the government’s commitment to tackling racism and making life better for people who may be subjected to racist discrimination.
The National Action Plan on Racism was informed by the experiences of people who have been directly affected by racism and we recognise that solutions to tackling this problem lie across society and not just within Government. That is why we would like to invite applications from local and community organisations who are working hard to develop initiatives to combat racism and make Ireland a better place to live for all.”

There are two streams of funding:

Scheme A will provide grants, ranging from €40,000 to €100,000, to organisations for national and regional projects.
Scheme B will provide grants, ranging from €5,000 to €10,000, to organisations for local projects.

All applications must be submitted electronically.

Applications for funding will remain open until noon on Wednesday 27th August 2025. Groups can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form at the following links:

Scheme A
Scheme B
Guidance_Note_2025_IARF.pdf

In recent years, funding from government departments has supported a wide range of initiatives that have successfully promoted racial equality in Irish society.

Some examples of those initiatives are listed below:

Gorm Media’s Wideshot programme aims to equip young adults from underrepresented and ethnic minority groups with essential tools to amplify their voices through film and creative media. The programme provides pathways into the film and creative industry via workshops, training, and events in digital storytelling and creative media.
The Irish Congress of Trade Unions’ Stronger Together programme highlights how everyone, regardless of background, race or religion, deserves a decent job and respect at work.
The Football Versus Discrimination project by Sports Against Racism Ireland sends coaches to schools across Ireland to deliver an interactive workshop addressing issues of discrimination and promoting inclusive practices with students.
In Laois, a programme by Portlaoise Educate Together National School called Being Together created and delivered equality-based and anti-racism events including workshops, seminars, talks and training for the staff, parents, board of management and students of the school.
In Dublin, the Phibsboro For All project set up an English language teaching programme customised to the complex needs of people applying for international protection. As part of the programme, a buddy system was developed to partner newcomers to Ireland with local volunteers to share culture, interests and activities. A series of community awareness events were also held to challenge stereotypes around racism.

The National Action Plan Against Racism represents a national level, State-led, coordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms here in Ireland. The plan proposes actions to help Ireland to become a place where the impacts of racism are acknowledged and actively addressed.

Irish National Day of Commemoration Ceremonies.

A National Day of Commemoration saw ceremonies being held at several locations across Ireland this morning. This morning’s events were organised to honoured all Irish men and Irish women who died in all wars including those who lost their lives while on service with the United Nations and other international organisations, in the service of peace.

A commemoration ceremony held at Dublin’s Royal Hospital, Military Rd, Kilmainham, Dublin 8, was attended by Irish President Mr Michael D Higgins, Taoiseach Mr Micheál Martin and Tánaiste Mr Simon Harris. Others attending included members of the Government; the Council of State; the Diplomatic Corps; Defence Forces; veteran’s organisations, the judiciary and representatives from Northern Ireland.
They were joined by relatives of those who sadly died in past wars or on UN peace keeping service, together with relatives of 1916 rising leaders.

Today’s Dublin’s Royal Hospital ceremony included a wreath-laying by President Higgins on behalf of the people of Ireland, before ending with a fly-past by the Irish Air Corps.

Other ceremonies which took place at locations around Ireland, including Fitzgerald’s Park, Cork city; Galway University, Co. Galway; Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny City; Limerick City; City Hall Sligo Town, Co. Sligo and at the John Condon Memorial, situated in Waterford City.

€3.5 Million Integration Fund For 2025 Now Launched.

2025 Integration Fund is now open to applications from non-government and community organisations.
€3.5 million available to national, regional and local non-profit groups; to support the integration and inclusion of people who have moved to Ireland as migrants.
Fund to support projects that benefit integration of all people from a migrant background, with dedicated support for projects supporting people applying for international protection.

2025 Integration Fund is now open to applications from non-government and community organisations.
€3.5 million available to national, regional and local non-profit groups to support the integration and inclusion of people who have moved to Ireland as migrants
Fund to support projects that benefit integration of all people from a migrant background, with dedicated support for projects supporting people applying for international protection

The Irish government have announced that applications are open for the 2025 Integration Fund. The fund, which brings together the previous International Protection Integration Fund (IPIF) and the Communities Integration Fund (CIF), will enable communities across Ireland to play a greater role in promoting the integration of migrants, with parts of the fund directed to a specific focus on people seeking international protection.

There are two streams of funding now available for applicants;

Scheme A: Same will provide grants of between €10,000 and €100,000 for integration projects, targeting people seeking international protection.
Scheme B: Same will provide grants of between €1,000 and €10,000 for local integration projects, focused on any migrant group.

All applications must be submitted electronically.

Applications for funding will remain open until noon on Thursday 31st July. Groups can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form at the following link: www.gov.ie/integrationfund

2025 will be the first year that Communities Integration Fund and the International Protection Integration Fund have run as a single consolidated funding call.

Since its inception in 2022, the IPIF has supported 193 projects with grant funding totalling €5.3 million.

Since its inception in 2017, the CIF has supported over 930 projects, with grant funding totalling €4.32 million.

New Chapter For 7,500 People Due To Be Granted Irish Citizenship.

A new chapter for over 7,500 people who will be granted Irish Citizenship at the INEC Arena, Killarney, Co. Kerry.

Today and tomorrow over 7,500 people will be granted Irish citizenship at the INEC Killarney.
Applicants from over 143 countries and across all 32 counties on the island will make a declaration of fidelity and loyalty to the State and become Irish citizens.

Over seven ceremonies held over two days, Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, Mr Jim O’Callaghan will be joined by Minister of State with responsibility for Migration, Mr Colm Brophy, and Minister of State with responsibility for International Law, Law Reform and Youth Justice, Mr Niall Collins.

Speaking ahead of the ceremonies, Minister O’Callaghan said: “This ceremony marks an important milestone in the lives of those receiving Irish citizenship. For each new citizen it signifies a deep connection to Ireland, its values, and its people. Ireland welcomes our new citizens as full members of society, and their contributions will undoubtedly strengthen the fabric of our nation. I encourage all new citizens to continue to actively engage in their communities so that, together, we can build a thriving society”.

Minister Brophy said: “I congratulate our newest citizens and wish each of them well as they begin this new part of their lives. Migration plays an essential role in Ireland’s development. It strengthens our economy, enriches our cultural diversity, and deepens our sense of solidarity. We are proud to welcome each new citizen as valued members of our communities.”

Minister Collins said: “Those becoming Irish citizens over the next two days are joining a diverse and inclusive Ireland. Citizenship is not only a right but a symbol of shared responsibility and mutual trust. These new citizens now have a place in shaping the future of Ireland. I sincerely congratulate each of our new Irish citizens. This is a proud and memorable day for them, their families, and for the whole country.”

The Presiding Officer at the ceremonies over the next two days is Judge Mr Paddy McMahon, who will confer the attendees with Irish Citizenship. He will administer the Declaration of Fidelity to the Irish Nation and Loyalty to the State. The new Irish citizens will undertake to faithfully observe the laws of the State and to respect its democratic values.

In just over two years the Citizenship Division of the Department has gone from processing around 12,000 applications a year to processing over 20,000 applications in 2023, and nearly 31,000 in 2024.

Significant changes have been introduced in the Citizenship Division of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration to speed up the application process for applicants, including the introduction of an online digital application, online payments, and eVetting. As a result, processing times are now decreasing year on year. The length of time it takes to process an application has dropped from 15 months in 2023 to 8 months in 2024.

It is expected that going forward, the vast majority of applicants will continue to receive a decision within one year, however, it is important to note that no two naturalisation applications are the same and some take longer than others to process.

More information on the application process is available at the following link: https://www.irishimmigration.ie/how-to-become-a-citizen/

€6.9 Million For New Environment & Climate Research.

€6.9 million for new environmental and climate research awarded by the EPA

EPA funding of €6.9 million has been awarded for 11 new research projects to address climate and environmental challenges.
The funded research will address key knowledge gaps and support the development of vital research capacity in Ireland.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today announced new research awards of €6.9 million for environmental and climate research in Ireland. This brings to €21.4 million the total research funding announced by the EPA to date in 2025.

The funding will support 11 new and innovative projects, which will involve 98 staff and students across 27 organisations. It will also build research capacity and skills in areas relevant to tackling important environmental challenges. Successful projects will address policy-relevant topics such as:

Understanding the impacts of noise pollution on health and the environment;
Exploring young people’s attitudes, knowledge and actions around climate change;
Mechanisms to support scaling-up of the circular economy;
Understanding how exposure to future sea level rise could impact population dynamics and
Studying remote Irish islands to enhance our understanding of the response and resilience of offshore environments to climate change.

Announcing the funding, Dr Eimear Cotter, Director of the EPA’s Office of Evidence and Assessment, said: “The increased scale of research funding being announced by the EPA in 2025 reflects the critical role that research and innovation play in addressing climate change, environmental pollution and biodiversity decline. This new EPA funding will help develop innovative solutions to support Ireland’s response to these challenges. Congratulations to the successful researchers and I look forward to hearing more about these exciting projects in the years ahead.”

The list of funded awards made to date in 2025 is available on the EPA website with full project details in the EPA’s online Research Database.

The EPA Research Programme is a Government of Ireland initiative funded by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment. Further details are available on the EPA website.