This conference aims to address the many issues that a surge in demand for international protection raises for a country such as Ireland. It seeks to understand the seeds of anti-refugee sentiment and what feeds this specific narrative. The conference also casts a comparative lens and will analyse the drivers of forced migration in different contexts, reception, resettlement, and social inclusion mechanisms in place and the manner in which these may or may not address the needs of both host populations and IPAs. The conference also seeks to understand responses by local grassroots organisations, political parties and government bodies. Ultimately, one of the core aims of the conference is to foster a dialogue between those working at a local level, service providers, refugees and international protection applicants, and academics.