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Press release

Minister Joe O’Brien announces the appointment of the Special Rapporteur for the National Action Plan Against Racism

The establishment of the Advisory Group on Racism and Racial Equality and the launch of the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2024 also announced.

  • the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) was finalised by an independent Anti-Racism Committee in 2023
  • key actions of the NAPAR were the creation of an independent Advisory Committee on Racism and Racial Equality, the appointment of a NAPAR Special Rapporteur and the establishment of the Ireland Against Racism Fund

The Minister of State for Community Development, Integration and Charities, Joe O’Brien, has today announced the appointment of Dr Ebun Joseph as the National Action Plan Against Racism Special Rapporteur. Dr Ebun Joseph is a Diversity and Race relations consultant, CEO and Founder of the Institute of Antiracism and Black Studies (IABS), Module Coordinator and Lecturer, Black Studies at University College Dublin (UCD), and founder & Chairperson, African Scholars Association Ireland, AFSAI (2018-2022).

In her role as Special Rapporteur, Dr Joseph will monitor progress towards the objectives of the NAPAR. The Special Rapporteur may also consider matters pertaining to racial equality more broadly, and will have the authority to request information and data from public bodies to support them in carrying out the role. The Special Rapporteur will make an annual report to the Minister; this report will also be submitted to the relevant Oireachtas Committee.

In conjunction with the announcement of the Special Rapporteur appointment, Minister O’Brien also announced the establishment of the Advisory Committee on Racism and Racial Equality, with membership from a cross section of society. The NAPAR proposes actions to help make Ireland a place in which the impacts of racism are fully acknowledged and actively addressed. This Committee is tasked with monitoring and helping to progress the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism (NAPAR) 2023-2027. The Special Rapporteur, Dr Ebun Joseph will chair the Advisory Committee on Racial Equality and Racism.

Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“I am pleased to today announce another key milestone in the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism. The appointment of Dr Ebun Joseph as Special Rapporteur and the establishment of an independent Advisory Committee on Racism and Racial Equality is are hugely important steps in the government’s commitment to tackling racism throughout society. These appointments are integral to the support systems established under the NAPAR and will be critical to the successful implementation of the plan.”

Minister Joe O’Brien, has also announced that applications can now be made for funding from the Ireland Against Racism Fund.

The Ireland Against Racism funding call is an important element in supporting the implementation of the National Action Plan Against Racism. The funding call arises from Action 2.14 of the plan which states:

"Provide funding for national and local initiatives that aim to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion, in order to support the implementation of this plan and the achievement of its objectives."

Announcing the fund, Minister Joe O’Brien said:

“Today’s announcement marks the launch of the second funding round of the Ireland Against Racism Fund. The Ireland Against Racism Fund (IARF) was been established in 2023 in response to Action 2.14 of the NAPAR, namely to ‘‘Provide funding for national and local initiatives that aim to combat racism and foster racial equality and community cohesion, in order to support the implementation of this plan and the achievement of its objectives. I am pleased to announce that the 2024 round of Ireland Against Racism Fund launches today with €1 million being made available for local and national projects to combat racism in Ireland."

There are two streams of funding:

  • Scheme A will provide grants, ranging from €50,000 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 7 August. Groups can access a detailed guidance document and complete an online application form at the following links:

Notes

Since its inception in 2023, the Ireland Against Racism Fund has supported 24 projects with grant funding totalling €1.3 million.

How applications for funding are assessed

Applications for funding will be assessed according to the following criteria:

  • strategic fit and achieving the goals of the scheme
  • strength of proposal
  • capacity of applicant organisation to deliver work programme
  • financial management and value for money

Members of the Advisory Committee on Racism and Racial Equality

The members of the Advisory Committee are:

  • Dr Niloufar Omidi (EDI Policy & Project Development Officer, University of Limerick)
  • Mr Mohammad Naeem (UN Youth Delegate)
  • Ms Rachel Coffey (National Youth Council of Ireland)
  • Councillor Hazel Chu (City Councillor, Barrister)
  • Mr Martin Collins (Co-Director of Pavee Point)
  • Mr Shane O’Curry (Director, Irish Network Against Racism (INAR))
  • Dr James Carr (Associate Professor in Sociology, University of Limerick)
  • Ms Patricia Munatsi (Human Rights Lawyer)
  • Mr David Joyce (Irish Congress of Trade Unions)
  • Ms Gina Miyagewa (Roma Health Co-ordinator, HSE)

National Action Plan Against Racism

The National Action Plan Against Racism represents a national level, State-led, co-ordinated approach to eliminating racism in all its forms in Ireland. The NAPAR was published on 21 March 2023.

Please note that photos will be issued that day by Maxwells.