Good News - closer cooperation between NASC and Cois Tine
For many years Cois Tine and NASC, the Irish Immigrant Centre have cooperated closely with each other.  Both organisations have, in the past, supported each other by avoiding duplication of services, by referring clients to each other and running joint events. 

Links between Nasc and Cois Tine will be even closer from the 8^th of July by which time NASC will have set up its Offices in St Mary’s Popes Quay.  This is a welcome and practical move. Sharing the same premises will allow the two organisations even closer contact, to share costs and so make better use of scarce resources.  The move will also make it easier for clients to use the services of both organisations and in addition day-to-day contact between staff and volunteers will made cooperation easier and more beneficial to immigrants.

CHANGES AT COIS TINE
During the past months Cois Tine has been considering how best to provide a service that is relevant and effective in the current climate and situation in Ireland.  During 2012 and into the current year the number of people using our drop-in service has decreased significantly as has demand for training, counselling and the use of our premises by immigrant community groups.  All this reflects the reality of fewer asylum seekers coming to Cork, the fact that the majority of our client group now live in the community and the preoccupation of people with the economic downturn that is affecting the wellbeing and quality of life experienced by people from all sections of the community including immigrants. 

Recognising these changes we have decided to focus our resources on where the need is. Therefore in future our Service will focus mainly on pastoral support visitation to the three Asylum Seekers Accommodation Centres in the Cork area. This service will focus on adult Africans with priority given to African women, who for various reasons may be less able to engage with the wider community.