Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 27 March 2013
173. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Social Protection her plans to tackle the large number of non-Irish citizens on the live register in view of the fact that nearly one in five persons on the live register are non-Irish citizens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15641/13]
View answerNon-Irish citizens made up 18% of the Live Register in February 2013 (76,829 persons). The absolute numbers of non-Irish citizens on the Live Register has declined from a peak of 81,266 in February 2010 (a fall of 5% compared to a fall of 1% of Irish citizens on the Live Register over the same period). Non-Irish citizens made up 18% of the total persons at work, according to the Census in 2011.
The Government’s primary strategy with regard to tackling the numbers on the live register, regardless of nationality, is to create the environment for a strong economic recovery by promoting competitiveness and productivity. Economic recovery will underpin jobs growth.
While the main approach of Government is the alleviation of long-term unemployment through the Pathways to Work initiative (the details of which have been set out in response to previous parliamentary questions), EURES Ireland also takes an active role in the support and integration of immigrant workers and helps create relevant networks to address any labour market related issues facing non-Irish job-seekers in Ireland. For instance, the DIALOG platform hosted an event in Dublin in February for Polish job-seekers.
It should also be noted that freedom of movement is one of the fundamental rights of the EU and benefits Irish workers as well as foreign-nationals. Also, from the perspective of benefit entitlement, the majority of foreign nationals on the Live Register would have contributed to tax and social insurance systems here.
