Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth publishes its report on Refugees and Integration

Launching the report, Deputy Kathleen Funchion, Cathaoirleach of the Committee said “Recent increases in the number of people coming to Ireland seeking protection have brought Ireland more in line with the experience of other EU member states generally. Emigration has been a lifeline for Ireland at times. Still now, large cohorts of people leave Ireland in search of a better life or more opportunities and prosperity.”

The Cathaoirleach said “This report looks at Ireland’s recent experience of immigration and how to best support those seeking protection here and support the communities they are accommodated in. From the meetings the Committee held it was clear that much good work is taking place within communities, but that this must be met with investment. A parallel approach of fixing public services and resourcing communities to enable positive integration is key.” 

Read the full Report in Refugees and Integration

Some of the recommendations made by the Committee include:

• The establishment of a national lead on immigration and a strong oversight and complaints mechanism for all those seeking protection.
• The engagement of community leaders to deliver information wherever possible, especially those trusted by the people the information needs to reach.
• The strengthening and enforcement of media rules and regulations to counter disinformation and harmful clickbait content.
• The establishment of anti-racism initiatives in all schools to equip children with knowledge about rights and refugees, how to avoid disinformation, deal with racism, and develop critical thinking and empathy.
• The allocation of additional resources to Tusla to adequately respond to young people in need of protection, including, but not limited to, increased resources for the team dealing with unaccompanied and age-disputed minors.

Read more about the work carried out by The Joint Committee on Children,Equality, Disability, Integration & Youth