Consultative Mechanisms on Immigrant Integration Policy

Immigrant Council of Ireland

Presentation by Jennifer Curtin

Email: communications@immigrantcouncil.ie

The conference takes place in the framework of the Project „Capacity building of NGOs representing third country nationals” that is financed by the European Fund for Third Country nationals (with 75% of funding coming from the Fund, and 25% from Latvian state budget).

Introduction of the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI)

Background Vision Mission

Immigrant Council of Ireland

Established in 2001 to deal with unprecedented rises in immigration. Independent human rights organisation. Advocates for the rights of immigrants and their families, and acts as

a catalyst for public debate and policy change. The ICI is also an Independent Law Centre.

Immigrant Council of Ireland One of the few independent law centre providing access to justice on

immigration matters • provides direct support to migrants and their families;• supports infrastructure of information provision through work with other

service providers;• has extensive knowledge of immigration system to inform policy

development and advocacy;• Uses casework and litigation to effect change. Advocates effectively. Creates public debate and discussion regarding migrants and their

families rights. Has an anti-racism service and monitoring mechanism. Provides specialised support to migrant women (anti trafficking work and

DV). Establishing the link between integration and immigration issues. Developing focus on second generation migrants.

Strategic Goal

Influence and effect change on immigrant law and policy. Provide specialist immigration advocacy and support to

immigrant groups at particular risk. Contribute constructively to the public debate around

immigration and foster increased participation of immigrants in relation to immigration reform.

Collaborate with, and support other organisations who provide services to immigrants and their families.

Develop our organisation so that it is sustainable, effective, and equitable and reflects Ireland’s diverse society and respects human rights.

Migration History of Ireland

Traditionally a country of emigration. Vietnamese refugees – 1970s – 1980s. Bosnian refugees – 1990s. 1994 onwards, onset of rapid economic growth, very large rise in

immigration. Asylum seekers: 1992 (39) – 2002 (11,598). Migrant workers: Employment permit, working visa/work

authorisation, business permission. International students: historic, increased substantially by the

Chinese. Programme refugees: 2000 (10 families); 2006 (40 families). New EU citizens – May 2004. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals – 2008 (no visa requirement

but not allowed to work without a work permit).

2002-2006 saw very fast growth in the number of non-nationals in Ireland, when the number doubled from 224,300 to 419, 733 in 4 years.

2006 Census -10% of foreign descent (nearly 420,000) UK (103, 500 – 2002 and 112, 500 – 2006); Other EU 25 (38, 400 – 2002 and 163,200 – 2006); Rest of Europe (14,700 – 2002 and 24, 400 – 2006); Africa (21,000 – 2002 and 35,300 – 2006); Asia (21,800 – 2002 and 47,000 – 2006); USA (11,400 – 2002 and 12,500 – 2006) and Other countries (11,200 – 2002 and 22,400 – 2006)

Top Countries of Birth of the Irish Population (2006)

Ireland 3,559,284 England and Wales 204,746 Poland 63,090 Northern Ireland 50,172 USA 25,181 Lithuania 24,808 Scotland 16,863 Nigeria 16,677 Latvia 13,999 China 11,218

Between 2006 and 2011 the number of non-Irish nationals, increased by 124,624 persons, or 29.7 per cent, from 419,733

to 544,357.

History of the Irish Consultative Body: Ministerial Council on Integration

• Office for the Minister of Migrant Integration established.• Now has become the Office for the Promotion of Migrant Integration.

Since March 2011,there is no Minister now responsible for integration.• Office publishes a policy statement in 2008 entitled “Migration Nation”

where the Irish government declares a commitment to the establishing of a Ministerial Council on Integration.

• To assist and reflect the changed dynamic of migration into Ireland.• To give advice to the Minister directly on issues faced by migrants.• Then Minister for Integration, Mary White, introduces Ministerial

Councils on the 22nd September 2010.

Application Process of the Ministerial Council on Integration

• Notice inviting expressions of interest from migrants for

appointment to the Council.• Published in the National press on the 2nd June 2010

and in the Regional Press shortly thereafter. • Just fewer than 500 valid applications were received in

the Office of the Minister for Integration before the closing date of the 7th July 2010.

Characteristics

• Unpaid and voluntary.• Applicants for appointment to the Council were required to have been

legally residing in the State for more than two years or to have acquired citizenship.

• Asylum seekers or subsidiary protection were not included.• Members of the Council appointed for a period of five years.• In making these appointments, the Minister took into account factors such

as the need to have a balance between countries of origin, places of residence in Ireland and the desirability of having an appropriate gender balance.

• It was open to individual migrants – didn’t have to be a member of a NGO or a group to apply.

• Broad experiences and views of people who come from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds and countries of origin were welcomed.

• Intending applicants were to forward a Curriculum Vitae (stating country of origin also) and a covering letter outlining their background and the reasons they consider themselves suitable for appointment to the Ministerial Council to the Office of the Minister for Integration.

Ministerial Council on Integration

• The Council was to meet in regional formation and to consist of 15 to 20 members in each region.

• Four regional forums to engage directly with migrants.• A Connacht/ Ulster forum which consisted of 15 members and met on

October 7th 2010 for the first time.• A Dublin forum which consisted of 20 members and met on October

14th 2010 for the first time.• A Rest of Leinster forum which consisted of 19 members and

convened on November 1st 2010 for the first time.• A Munster forum which consisted of 20 members and convened on

November 11th 2010 for the first time.• Meetings of the Regional Forums of the Council were to take place

approximately 2/ 3 times a year. A press release would be issued following each regional forum.

• The Minister would chair meetings of the Council.

Issues discussed/ achieved by the Ministerial Council

• Watermarks on Birth Certificates• Free Conversation English Classes• Help for parents in finding a school where their child’s mother tongue is

taught.• Access to Third Level Education• Spousal Work Permits

• Making a complaint to the HSE

Critique

• Many migrant activists who were not successful were informed that the Minister was keen on ‘normal’ migrants as opposed to those affiliated with NGOs.

• 5 who were unsuccessful told our Integration Manager that that they felt they had been excluded as they were familiar with the system, and civil servants felt they ‘would have been difficult to handle’. In their view, normal meant those who were not likely to ask the hard questions.

• Not a transparent system of application. Did not specify that it wanted ‘normal’ applicants and was purely at the discretion of the Minister.

• No laws requiring official authorities to respond to the recommendations of the Ministerial Council, it is purely advisory.

• Purely advisory for the outset, suggests that the policy makers did not anticipate the Council becoming a space for making policy recommendations. Purely symbolic/ tokenistic?

Critique

• No clear objectives or mandate.• Names of those involved in running the Ministerial Council was not

displayed. • Perhaps more effective if individuals are affiliated to NGOS, the

individual is then responsible to their NGO -ensures that particular issues are voiced.

• Did not last very long, and only two meetings held. New government took office in March 2011 with no Integration Minister, the council has not met since.

• Did not last long enough to ascertain its influence on policy making in the areas of immigration and integration.

Who responds to challenges faced by migrants in Ireland

• Civil society has been advocating for political leadership on areas of migration and integration.

• Civil society orgs. have been responding to the challenges faced by migrants - providing services including information, advice, support and in some cases legal information.

• Migrant-led organisations such as New Communities Partnership, AKIDWA, Africa Centre have been active in promoting social, cultural and political integration.

• Have been commissioning research projects aimed at documenting the experiences of migrants in Ireland.

• NGO sector involved in advocacy work in implementing projects aimed at promoting integration, anti-racism and diversity.

• Civil society has addressed some of the issues, sustainability in the sector a constant battle.