A need for more social interaction between the local population and people from across the world who come to live in The Liberties.
Dublin south inner city has the highest concentration of new communities in the state. In The Liberties, huge social change and significant demographic shifts are taking place,
It is estimated that 32 nationalities live here.
Saray Mehran Food Store on Thomas Street specialises in goods from the middle east and the mediterranean. Mehmed Slavotic sees a diversity of customers visiting the shop,
We have 50% of Irish people and we have 50% of foreigners.
A report has found that there is little or no social interaction between the new immigrant population and the local communities in the south inner city.
Fidèle Mutwarasibo of the Immigrant Council of Ireland is afraid that different nationalities living separately denies people the opportunity to find common ground.
Jean-Pierre Eyanga, a spokesperson for Integrating Ireland believes respect and understanding between different ethnicities comes about,
If people dialogue, they discover each other.
Pat Guerin of the South West Inner City Network (SWICN) is greatly concerned about the image presented of asylum seekers in Ireland.
Educational programmes in the area are helping the new communities integrate more fully. St Audoen’s National School in Cook Street caters for 23 foreign national children. Sheila Dalton is the school’s language support teacher.
The people from Romania, and from Nigeria and Cameroon and all the other countries are integrating together here in schools.
Students Kate Williams and Witness Mapfumo express how much they enjoy living in Ireland and how well they get on with their classmates.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 29 January 2004. The reporter is Gareth O'Connor.
