How LAIT teams support integration from day one

People who come to Ireland to seek protection often face practical difficulties once they arrive. They may not know how public services work, what their rights are, or who to ask for help. This can make it harder to settle into daily life and start planning for the future. Local Authority Integration Teams (LAITs) were created to respond to this need. These teams operate within every local authority. Their job is to help newcomers access services like healthcare, education, social protection and legal support. They also encourage people to take part in local activities and connect with their new communities. By doing this work early and at a local level, LAITs help support social integration and enable new arrivals to begin contributing to Irish life.

LAITs support four main groups of people: applicants for International Protection; people with refugee status, subsidiary protection, or permission to remain; programme refugees; and Beneficiaries of Temporary Protection (BOTPs). In many cases, the process of determining a person’s legal status can take months or even longer. During that time, people still need take part in community life and begin to regain some stability in their lives. As Shannette Budhai, an Integration Officer with Roscommon County Council, puts it, “They didn’t come here to be recipients of aid. They want to give back. They want to be independent and self-sufficient.”

Signposting services

The services LAITs connect people to are wide-ranging. Teams might help individuals register with a GP for instance, find language classes or sign up for education and training programmes. In some cases, LAITs assist with social welfare applications or explain how to access support for children. LAITs are not there to replace any of these services. Their role is to make sure that the services are accessible and easier to understand.

The work is personal and local. LAIT staff visit accommodation centres, hold outreach clinics and meet newcomers face to face. They answer questions, explain forms and help people understand the options available to them. If someone needs to travel across town to attend an appointment, a LAIT worker might show them the route on public transport. If someone needs ongoing support, LAIT staff will follow up and stay in contact. In many cases, the same team will continue working with a person over time as their situation develops.

This kind of early support helps people move from uncertainty to a greater sense of direction. For example, someone who had a trade or profession in their home country may not know how to make use of their experience in Ireland. LAITs can link them with a training course or local organisation that gives them a place to start. In another case, someone who is isolated or struggling with stress may be connected to a community group or mental health service. As Fionnuala O’Connell, an Integration Support Worker with Cork City Council, explains, “When people come into the international protection system, they feel like they have to delete their life experiences and start all over again. It’s important the knowledge and experience they bring with them is recognised.”

Community involvement

LAITs also work with the wider community. In many areas, they have built links with family resource centres, local support services and community volunteers. Some local community centres have organised walking groups, cooking activities or language exchanges to help new arrivals meet local people and feel more at home. These partnerships strengthen the work of the LAITs and make it more sustainable.

Integration is not just about accessing services. It’s also about building connections and confidence, both for newcomers and for the communities they join. By supporting this work at a local level, LAITs play a practical role in helping people not just get through the initial difficulties but also start building a good life in their new communities.

Learn more about LAITs on LocalGov.ie.