ALMOST 400 Syrian refugees will have taken up residence in Northern Ireland by the end of the year, it has been revealed.
The first group of Syrian refugees arrived in the north in December 2015 as part of the government-led Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme.
Subsequently a further three groups of refugees have also came in from the war-torn country.
New figures released by Communities Minister Paul Givan show there are 221 Syrian refugees currently residing here, with the numbers due to rise substantially over the next two months.
"Two more groups totalling an estimated 160 people are expected to arrive before the end of 2016," Mr Givan said.
In response to an Assembly question from the SDLP's Mark Durkan Mr Givan said that the new arrivals had settled well in Northern Ireland and are "making very good progress" in developing their English skills.
Free ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) lessons are available to all refugees who arrive in the north and the Home Office is now making available additional funding of £850 per adult towards English lessons for refugees arriving in the UK.
"My Department is in discussions with the Department for the Economy and other stakeholders on how this funding be most effectively used for the benefit of the refugees," Mr Givan added.
Among those to settle in Northern Ireland from Syria in the past year is 19 year-old Loaui Alnajjar .
Originally from Homs, Loaui spent three years in Lebanon, before being re-located to Northern Ireland with 10 other families in December 2015.
His father was killed in the war in Homs and he is the only member of his family to be relocated here.
