A national network of 25 ethnic minority community organisations has criticised the Government for not financially supporting their work.
The New Communities Partnership (NCP) is holding what it claims is the first national conference of its kind in Ireland at Croke Park today. Over 230 community activists from over 30 countries in Africa, Asia and Eastern Europe are attending the event.
"The Minister for Justice refused to attend the event, saying it was the remit of the Minister for Community Affairs, while the Minister for Community Affairs, who I have met twice, says they will not be expanding their programmes to meet the needs of ethnic minorities," said Issah Huseini, a founding member of the NCP.
As a result Mr Huseini said member organisations are struggling to support their communities without resources and avoid incidents such as the recent hunger strike in St Patrick's Cathedral by Afghan asylum seekers.
"We want the Irish Government to understand they must invest in small ethnic minority organisations if they want Ireland to become a healthy intercultural society," said NCP member Reginald Flex.
This morning featured an open discussion forum between NCP members and a panel of policy makers on the issue of supporting ethnic minorities to organise communities.
Representatives of the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Department of Rural, Community and Gaeltacht Affairs; Dublin City Council and the Office for Social Inclusion sat on the panel.
This afternoon the NCP will meet in closed session to discuss how the participation of ethnic minorities in community activities can be encouraged.