Mission Statement:

SPIRASI is a humanitarian, intercultural, non-governmental organisation that works with asylum seekers, refugees and other disadvantaged migrant groups, with special concern for survivors of torture. In partnership with others, SPIRASI enables access to specialist services to promote the well-being of the human person, and encourages self-reliance and integration into Ireland.

Beginning:

In the late 1990s, the number of asylum seekers in Ireland was growing rapidly but there was a lack of administrative or legislative preparedness. Little was known about their needs and there was limited statutory or voluntary provision of support services. A needs assessment study commissioned by the Congregation of the Holy Spirit (Spiritans) identified the following priorities:

• Resource materials on rights and entitlements of new arrivals
• Independent medical and psychosocial support for vulnerable torture survivors
• Provision of support services, including trained interpreters
• English language and IT training to enable integration
• Public awareness education and promotion of interculturalism

The response was to establish a non-profit organisation, Spiritan Asylum Services Initiative (SPIRASI), to work for the benefit and welfare of refugees and asylum seekers, especially in Ireland. SPIRASI was established in 1999 under the trusteeship of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit.

Organisation

Under its Constitution, SPIRASI is governed by a Board of Directors, appointed by the Trustees; at least two-thirds of the Board must be other than members of the Congregation.
The Board, which meets at least quarterly, is responsible for the governance of SPIRASI and its remit includes: developing and monitoring policy, directing and approving major changes in programmes, approval of annual budgets and accounts, approval of management structures and rates of remuneration, approval of senior staff appointments and for proposing amendments to the Constitution for the approval of the Trustees. Major changes in the programmes of SPIRASI, which would alter its nature, are subject to the agreement of the Trustees.

The Director, who need not be a member of the Congregation, is appointed by the Trustees but subject to confirmation by the Board; s/he is responsible for the overall management and organisation of SPIRASI.
Programmes: There are three core programmes — Care of Survivors of Torture (started 2000), Health Information (started 2002) and Education and Integration (started 1999). There are also two support sections — Strategy & Development and Central Services.

Internal Departments

Internally, SPIRASI is divided into three different departments which are called centres. The Centre for Health Information and Promotion (CHIP) organise the Health Information and Promotion sessions at Reception Centres along with other activities such as Life-Skills classes for refugees. The Centre for the Care of Survivors of Torture (CCST) is responsible for the different aspects of rehabilitation and care of the survivors of torture. The Centre for Education and Integration of Migrants (CÉIM — meaning 'step' in Irish) organises the provision of an integrated programme of English and IT classes for migrants in Ireland along with the Arts Programme.