Twenty-two Syrian families are being settled in Ireland on Thursday, as part of the Irish Refugee Protection Programme (IRPP).

The 105 people, including 58 children, join 97 persons resettled to Ireland from Lebanon last week.

This brings the total number of people resettled this month to 202 - including 109 children.

The Syrian families have been living in the UNHCR refugee camp in Lebanon since fleeing the conflict.

They will initially reside at the Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre in Ballaghaderreen in Co Roscommon, while they await permanent housing in communities across the country.

Further refugee families will also be resettled to Ireland under the IRPP in 2019.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan said: "During this festive period, as we enjoy spending time with our own families, it is important to remember that many families across the world have been forcibly displaced from their homes by war and protracted crises.

"Under our national resettlement programme, working closely with the UNHCR, we prioritise those who are most vulnerable and provide a durable solution to enable them to rebuild their lives in safety and security, here in Ireland.

"The families that have arrived today are very welcome.

"They will now have time to rest and recover and to focus on their future in their new home."

Vehicles transporting refugees are seen at the Jdaidet Yabous border crossing between Syria and Lebanon on December 6th, 2018 | Image: Ammar Safarjalani/Xinhua News Agency/PA Images

Minister of State for Equality, Immigration and Integration, David Stanton, added: "The people of Ballaghaderreen have come together to create a welcoming and supportive environment for refugee families who have experienced great trauma.

"It is a model that I would like to see embraced in communities right across the country.

"Integration is a powerful tool in assimilating our new communities and assisting them to engage in all areas of Irish society, from schools, to sports, to employment."

The IRPP was established in September 2015 as part of the State's humanitarian response to the migration crisis in Southern Europe.

Ireland agreed to accept up to 4,000 asylum seekers and refugees overall into Ireland "at the earliest time possible".

Since 2015, 2,159 asylum seekers and refugees have been admitted to Ireland under the programme, by way of relocation from Greece or resettlement from Lebanon, under the UNHCR-led programme.

This includes those resettled from Lebanon this month.