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Departmental Programmes.

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 October 2006

Tuesday, 3 October 2006

Ceisteanna (92)

Brian O'Shea

Ceist:

188 Mr. O’Shea asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department is undertaking strategies or initiatives specifically to address the development of Ireland into a more multicultural society; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22754/06]

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Freagraí scríofa

My Department recognises the enormous challenges facing Irish society today as a result of the major demographic changes that have occurred in recent years. These challenges are particularly acute since these changes have not been gradual. Indeed, recent statistics indicate that newcomers may now account for up to 10% of the population.

As part of the response to these changes, in 2005 I established the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service — INIS for short, which brings together the various strands of Government activity which have a direct bearing on immigration and integration issues. Within these revised structural arrangements, a new framework is now being finalised under which INIS will exercise its responsibility for promoting and coordinating all social and organisational measures across the whole spectrum of Government for the acceptance of lawful immigrants into Irish economic and cultural life.

A new Integration Unit within INIS is also being established to carry out this specific function. The Unit will work with other Departments on studies and projects which have a major leverage effect on overall integration objectives. It will also assist in the development of a broad integration policy, building comprehensive strategies that will be linked with progress already achieved in the areas of social inclusion and anti-racism.

Earlier this year I announced an Integration Fund of €5m to accelerate the process of ensuring that all newcomers to Ireland can develop their full potential in the context of a new integrated society. Local Partnership Companies involved in the social inclusion area and Non Government Organisations with expertise in the area of integration will be involved in the implementation of this initiative. The Fund will also be made available for a range of research and mapping initiatives and will be used to accelerate the implementation of the National Action Plan against Racism which already has a significant integration element.

The Reception & Integration Agency (RIA) has responsibility for the coordination of integration services for refugees and persons with leave to remain and is actively involved with stake-holders at all levels both statutory and non-statutory to ensure that the needs of that client group are identified and addressed.

A high-level Inter-Departmental Working Group, coordinated by the RIA, was established in 2005 to oversee the integration of refugees admitted under resettlement programmes. While the brief of this Inter-Departmental Working Group refers to refugees admitted under resettlement programmes, many of the issues which arise apply also to other newcomer minority groups.

Most integration occurs at a local and community level and the RIA are actively involved with Local Authorities, County Development Boards, and Partnership Companies to promote the development of integration strategies within their Social Inclusion remit.

In May of this year the RIA, in cooperation with the Department of Education & Science, held a 1 day seminar entitled "Towards a National English Language Policy for Adult Newcomers" designed to bring together core English language providers and other key stakeholders. Further detailed research is now being undertaken in this area to capitalise on the results of the seminar.

The RIA is also working with the Department of Community Rural & Gaeltacht Affairs and Pobal (Dormant Accounts programme) to develop targeted initiatives to promote the integration of refugees with a particular focus on parents of Irish-born children who were granted leave to remain last year.

The needs of this client group is also being addressed by the NDP Gender and Equality Unit of my Department who have provided funding to facilitate access to training and employment. Ireland has developed one of the most comprehensive anti-discrimination codes in Europe and the National Action Plan against Racism (NAPR) to which I have already referred continues to provide strategic direction to combat racism and to develop a more inclusive, intercultural society in Ireland. It is based on a commitment to inclusion by design and not as an add-on or afterthought and its focus is on five objectives — participation, inclusion, provision, recognition and protection. The plan will run until 2008.

A Strategic Monitoring Group, coordinated by my Department, with representatives of the social partners, NGOs and Government has been established to oversee implementation of the NAPR measures. The Group has established three working groups from its members and each group has brought in further expertise as required thereby directly involving people from minority ethnic backgrounds in policy implementation in specific projects.

A network of Liaison Officers in Government Departments has been established and a wide range of projects are already well advanced. These include:

Development of intercultural school guidelines: Guidelines for primary school teachers have been completed and post-primary guidelines are expected to be published very soon.

Developing anti-racist and diversity (ARD) plans: The first ARD Plan is already in operation in Galway. Work is currently underway with Roscommon County Council, Dublin Inner City, Fingal County Council and Louth County Council.

Cooperation with the Gardaí: Under the auspices of NAPR, the first Intercultural Consultative Forum was held on the 6th September and involved representatives of minority communities and the Traveller communities.

Research into racism and the criminal law: This is being carried out by the Law School, University of Limerick and is due to be completed in November this year.

Using sport for integration: A Grant Scheme with Local Sports Partnerships to develop integration projects is now under way.

Promoting Anti-Racist Workplace Week: 2005 was the sixth year of the Anti-Racist Workplace Week. The purpose of the week is to raise awareness of the need to combat racism in organisations and promote support for the accommodation of diversity in the workplace. The week is organised by the Equality Authority in close partnership with this Department, NAPR steering group, IBEC, ICTU, the Construction Industry Federation, the Small Firms Association, Chambers of Commerce of Ireland and the Irish Farmers Association.

Finally, I would draw the Deputy's attention to the fact that while my Department continues to develop integration initiatives in accordance with its mandate, a whole range of measures are continually being undertaken by other Departments in terms of both services and funding. I believe that the broad social inclusion programme being pursued by this Government will be of major influence in addressing the important challenge referred to by the Deputy.

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