Government Signs Off On Plan To Accept 4,000 Refugees

The government's signed off on a plan to accept 4,000 refugees under a new protection programme.

A special cabinet meeting has agreed to set up a new Irish Refugee Protection Programme, including special reception centres to process arrivals.

The figure of 4,000 includes the 1,100 previously agreed by the government, but will NOT include other members of refugees' families who may be brought to Ireland later.  

The scheme will cost around 12 million euro per year, for every thousand refugees housed in Ireland.

Justice minister Frances Fitzgerald says it's the first step in trying to deal with the humanitarian crisis facing Europe.