An Inclusive County, South Dublin County Integration Strategy 2013-2017 was developed to enable all communities to fully participate in society by promoting an inclusive and dynamic environment in South Dublin County where residents are valued, regardless of their nationality, religion or ethnic background.

The South Dublin Integration Strategy actions are framed under the headings:

• Active Citizenship: A Place to Connect
• Employment: An Economically Competitive Place
• Educational Training: Learning Place
• Attitude to Diversity and Facilitating Integration: A Cultural Place
• Social Inclusion: Housing, Living Environment and Health: A Place to Live and a Healthy Place
• Social Inclusion: Discrimination: A Safe Place

A number of actions have been allocated to each of these areas in an actions matrix. Under the heading of Social Inclusion: Discrimination: A Safe Place the strategic aim is to reduce incidences of racism and anti-social behaviour within South Dublin County and to promote a message and ethos of equality in diversity and anti-discrimination throughout South Dublin County. Contained therein is Action 6.5 which states "continue collaboration between existing initiative of recording racist incidents and providing support for victims". This action is accompanied by a lead actor and a range of strategic partners who will spearhead and support the action implementation respectively.

The Councils Anti Social Strategy recognises that Integration is one of the most important challenges faced by South Dublin County Council over the next few years. One of the main objectives of the Council will be to facilitate initiatives to promote integration in the county.

The Housing Department take very seriously any Anti Social Behaviour that might be racist based and works in conjunction with the Gardai to ensure it is not continued.

Contact has been made with the anti racism groups and organisations with a view to sourcing educational material that might be possible to use to combat such Anti Social Behaviour

The Council works with local Communities, Gardaí, HSE and sporting organisations to eliminate acts of racism.

The Council will develop a proposal in this regard and bring to the Housing and Social Development SPC for discussion and agreement on an approach.

To mark European Week against Racism (15th March to Friday 21st March)  the Social Inclusion Unit  have organised a competition which aims to combat racism and to celebrate cultural diversity of people living in Ireland today.  Details of the competition have been circulated to primary and secondary schools in the county, the general public and relevant groups on the Council dbase.

In addtion the Social Inclusion Unit in partnership with Sports and Recreation have organised a Sports Blitz for primary schools on Thursday 20^th March and for second level schools on Tuesday 25^th March.  Each school participating has been requested to design a slogan containing their own personal message against racism.