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  • 045 980200
  • Head Office: Áras Chill Dara Devoy Park Naas Co Kildare W91 X77F

Local Authority Integration Team Contact:

integrationlait@kildarecoco.ie

Our Role

In recognition of the central role that local authorities play in integrating new communities, the Irish Government has set up Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) across the country as part of the new international protection service model grounded on supporting the principle of ‘integration from day one’.

Kildare LAIT works with:

  • People applying for international protection.
  • Persons with status (those with refugee, subsidiary protection, or permission to remain).
  • Persons with temporary protection.
  • Programme refugees.

Supporting them to be able to take part in society as much as a person wants and needs, without giving up their own cultural identity.  The Local Authority Integration Team is here to ensure that Kildare remains a welcoming place where diversity is celebrated, and everyone has the opportunity to contribute to and benefit from our vibrant community.

What We Do

The Kildare LAIT has a social prescribed role, facilitating connections with local services including:

  • Being a direct contact for new arrivals, offering information and guidance through often complex public services, facilitating access to services appropriate to needs, and helping to resolve barriers when dealing with public services.
  • Facilitating connection with local services that improve their ability to build independent lives in a new country, like job training, English classes, education, and apprenticeships.
  • Offering guidance through the process of applying for healthcare, training, education, healthcare, employment, financial support, or information about cultural, social, and political participation, or other services they might need.
  • Identifying gaps in supports and services, working collaboratively to create efficient and well-coordinated integration systems, including efficient needs assessment, or strong inter-agency collaboration.
  • Supporting people if they face racism or unfair treatment.

This is done through outreach work and clinics in State-funded accommodation centres.

The LAIT is not responsible for communicating with stakeholder’ groups ahead of the opening of new State-funded accommodation centre. It is the Community Engagement Team (CET) at the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration who issues a briefing note when a contract is entered into, and a new accommodation centre is being opened.

Our Partners

  • Community organisations and voluntary groups.
  • Schools and educational bodies.
  • Healthcare providers.
  • Community Gardai.
  • Local Transport Link.
  • Government agencies and other local authorities.

LAIT Frequently Asked Questions

How do I book an appointment with the Local Authority Integration Team? 

You can email integrationlait@kildarecoco.ie and request an appointment for a one-to-one clinic at Kildare County Council or other location near you. Once the appointment has been scheduled, the person will receive a text or email with the location details and the name of the staff allocated.

 What happens during an appointment?

You will meet with one of the Integration Support Workers to discuss your needs and you can ask questions about your:

  • Health and Well-being.
  • Family.
  • Community integration.
  • Employment.
  • Education.
  • Childcare.
  • Accessing public services.
  • Day-to-day living. 

The Integration Support Worker will offer you the necessary information, advice, and guidance to access services locally appropriate to your needs. This could involve things such as explaining how to actively participate in the community, or the process of applying for financial support or a medical card. You can share if you have encounter specific barriers accessing public services or have faced discrimination.

How to Report Racism

If you wish to report an incident of racism you have experienced, please log on to www.ireport.ie The system enables people who experience or witness racism and/or those supporting them to do something about it and break the silence. Reporting is confidential and provides evidence and data on racism in Ireland. The information gathered will be treated confidentially and will not be shared with anyone without your permission, unless compelled by law to do so. Ireport will only contact you if you give them your permission to do so.

Does the Local Authority Integration Team help with finding accommodation?

No, Kildare LAIT does not have any role in providing accommodation or identifying or dealing with locations suitable for the same. This is the role of the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. However, Kildare LAIT can explain your rights and connect you with the services that you require. 

Refugee Resettlement Programme

In response to various international humanitarian crisis, Kildare County Council has been working with the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, County Kildare Leader Partnership and local community organisations and statutory agencies to resettle 66 refugees in county Kildare between 2024-26 through various tranches under United Nations Resettlement and Relocation Programme.

Kildare County Council has established an Inter-Agency Working Group chaired by the Local Authority Integration Team to oversee the process. The group is made up of senior representatives from various services including education, health, housing, Gardai, social protection, childcare, community and local development.

Kildare County Council secured funding for through the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration and EU Asylum, Migration and Integration Fund for integration supports to ensure that each individual and family achieve the best possible outcomes. County Kildare Leader Partnership (CKLP) was identified by Kildare County Council as an implementing partner through a tender process for the provision of practical supports through an Integration Support Worker, and an Intercultural Support Worker.