Written Answers. - Integration of Refugees.
Eamon Gilmore
Question:
58
Mr. Gilmore
asked the
Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform
the specific steps being taken or planned to combat racism and promote tolerance and understanding between Irish citizens and asylum seekers; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
[15426/00]
The report of the interdepartmental working group on the integration of refugees, which was published last December, emphasised the importance of promoting a tolerant inclusive society. The working group's report has been accepted by Government as the framework for refugee integration policy in Ireland.
One of the working group's recommendations related to public awareness. The working group recommended that the national consultative committee on racism and interculturalism, NCCRI should have a central role in co-ordinating public awareness initiatives and in disseminating information on anti-racism issues and respect for cultural diversity. The Government has agreed on the need for initiatives to combat racism and racist attacks through informing public opinion and promoting a more tolerant inclusive society. It has approved proposals for an evaluation of the working group strategy and the resources needed to plan, implement and review the development of such initiatives, within a very short time frame. The NCCRI is carrying out this evaluation. The evaluation is due to be completed in the near future and I hope to be able to bring proposals for comprehensive public awareness initiatives to Government before the summer recess.
The NCCRI, which I established in 1998, assists the integration of refugees in other ways. Its programme includes the monitoring of the legal aid service for asylum seekers, organising anti-racism training modules for civil servants and administering a small grants fund to non-government organisations undertaking anti-racism-intercultural projects. The NCCRI has a number of sub-committees, one of which deals exclusively with issues concerning refugees and asylum seekers.
Last November the NCCRI in conjunction with the UNHCR organised a programme of events which focused on the inclusion of refugees and asylum seekers, people of colour and ethnic minorities into Irish society. The two-week programme, entitled True Colours, consisted of a wide range of different types of events at national, regional and local levels, including a film festival, workshops, seminars and the launching of publications. The organisers encouraged the participation of community groups, schools and other organisations and a small grant fund was set up to support non-statutory groups who became involved in the programme
In its strategic plan 2000-02 the NCCRI states that it will seek to build on its previous work on refugee and asylum policy and to develop new competencies on immigration and citizenship policy. In particular the NCCRI will seek to work towards the active inclusion of asylum seekers in integration policy and develop mechanisms for the participation of organisations working with minority ethnic groups in the design, implementation and review of service delivery.
The Employment Equality Act, 1998, came into operation last October. The Act provides protection against discrimination in employment and training on a number of grounds including religion, race, colour, nationality or ethnic or national origins. The Equal Status Act, 2000, will provide protection from discrimination outside the employment context, including education, in the provision of goods, services and accommodation and the disposal of property, on the same grounds as the Employment Equality Act. The Equal Status Act was signed on the 26 April and, it is hoped, will come into operation next October.
