DUBLIN, Sept. 15 (Xinhua) -- Ireland on Friday pledged to accept an additional 330 refugees next year as part of its response to the influx of people fleeing war, poverty and political upheaval in the Middle East and Africa.
Irish Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said his country will accept 600 program refugees in 2018.
"This includes a commitment to take an additional 330 program refugees above the 270 people who are due to arrive in 2018," Flanagan said.
This commitment has been made as part of a new EU resettlement pledging exercise for the new year, he said.
Ireland has committed to accept 1,040 refugees by the end of 2017 under the resettlement strand of the program and this commitment is on track with 785 people already in the country and the remaining 255 people due in by early 2018.
Meanwhile, Ireland has committed to accept 2,622 asylum seekers under the relocation strand of the program. This total is composed of 1,089 people from Greece, 623 people from Italy and 910 people as yet unallocated.
In a statement, Flanagan said his country will have met its commitment to formally pledge for 1,089 people from Greece by September 2017.
All 1,089 are due to arrive in Ireland by the end of this year or early next year, the Irish minister said. Enditem
