Ireland says to accept further 260 refugees from Lebanon

Ireland confirmed plans on Tuesday to welcome further 260 refugees from Lebanon, as part of the country's commitment to admit 4,000 Refugees.

The decision to increase the number of refugees takes account of the slower than anticipated arrival of asylum seekers from Greece and Italy as a result of operational difficulties experienced by all countries in the initial establishment of the program in those countries, said Frances Fitzgerald, Irish deputy prime minister and minister for justice and equality.

"My decision reflects the government's commitment to welcome vulnerable refugees fleeing war and conflict and is another positive step towards meeting Ireland's overall commitment to accept 4,000 persons," she said.

The government's refugee resettlement work is making good progress, she added.

"507 refugees have already arrived from Lebanon. 519 refugees will have arrived by the end of December fulfilling our original quota a year ahead of the EU deadline of Dec. 8, 2017," Fitzgerald said.

"I am pleased to build on that early success by in effect doubling our overall commitment to resettle refugees under this two-year program," she said.

A further 40 Syrians arrived in Ireland from Greece in the last couple of weeks. Another 132 are due to arrive from Greece in mid-December with regular substantial monthly arrivals from Greece thereafter.

A large percentage of the arrivals are children, often very young children. Endit