1. Who we are?
Migrant care workers
The Netwell Centre
The Netwell Centre is a core
research centre based within the
School of Health Sciences in
Dundalk Institute of Technology
(DkIT), County Louth.
We specialise in research and
community development work
linked to ageing and later life.
Our research projects range from
software and hardware solutions
to support older people to ‘age in
place’, to community develop-
ment initiatives such as the RE-
SPECT project which promotes
an inclusive, tolerant society.
The findings from our research
projects help inform policy and
practice at regional, national and
international level. We are a
cross-border leader with key
strategic partnership in Ireland
and internationally.
The Respect Project
Reach out to support ethnic di-
versity (RESPECT) is supported
by the European Union's
Peace III Programme as awarded
by Louth Peace and Reconcilia-
tion Partnership. RESPECT aims
to ensure that migrant workers
are treated with fairness and dig-
nity at work and in society and to
foster peace and reconciliation
through enhanced cross-
community understanding.
RESPECT explores the issues
faced by migrant care workers,
including the role of racism in
established patterns in work and
in the community.
The NCCRI Racist Incident Re-
porting Procedure has docu-
mented an increase in racist inci-
dents in Louth directed at mi-
grant workers (National
Consultative Committee on
Racism and Interculturalism,
2008). The types of racist inci-
dents identified range from
Migrant care workers make an
important contribution to sup-
porting vulnerable older people
to continue to live in their own
homes and communities. Within
County Louth approximately
17% of all care workers working
for older people are foreign na-
tionals. Yet the contribution
these workers make to the eco-
nomic and social life of the north
east is often overlooked because
so little is known of their experi-
ences at work and in the commu-
nity. Lack of knowledge and
cultural understanding can in turn
have a destabilising effect on the
community.
Special points of interest:
 The EU Programme for Peace
and Reconciliation in Northern
Ireland and the Border Region of
Ireland (2007-2013), commonly
referred to as the PEACE pro-
gramme, promotes social and
economic stability in the region by
supporting actions to promote
cohesion between communities.
 The PEACE programme is a
unique EU structural funds
programme created in 1994 as a
response by the EU to positive
developments in the peace
process.
 In July 2009, the RESPECT Pro-
ject was awarded €29,955 under
the PEACE III programme.
Netwell Centr e
verbal and physical abuse to
discrimination in accessing goods
or services and in employment.
Through the RESPECT Project,
the Netwell Centre aims to raise
awareness of cultural diversity,
challenge attitudes towards ra-
cism and support conflict resolu-
tion at the local level.
“To reinforce progress towards a
peaceful and stable society and to
promote reconciliation by
increasing economic development
and employment, promoting urban
and rural regeneration,
developing cross-border co-
operation and extending social
inclusion” (SEUPB, 2007).
We’re on the Web!
http://netwellcentre.org/