Immigrant Council of Ireland calls on incoming government to reset narrative on migration to Ireland

Immigrant Council Impact Report 2023 shows positive contribution of migrant communities

On International Migrants Day 2024, the Immigrant Council of Ireland has released its 2023 Impact Report and outlined its recommendations to inform the next Programme for Government.

In 2023, the Immigrant Council of Ireland supported migrant communities in Ireland in integrating successfully and achieving their rights and potential. In 2023 the Immigrant Council of Ireland:

• Supported 4007 callers through its national telephone helpline service, on a broad range of issues relating to the immigration system, including: 
  • 729 issues relating to acquiring Irish citizenship
  • 693 issues relating to family reunification
  • 475 issues relating to issues of renewing immigration permissions in the state
• In addition, through its Independent Law Centre status, the Immigrant Council of Ireland supported hundreds of legal case files, including: 
  • 219 cases related to unaccompanied minor children (a number which has risen in 2024)
  • 138 cases of gender-based violence, of which 39 were cases supporting survivors of human trafficking.
• Through its capacity building work with migrant communities and frontline services, the organisation: 
  • Supported 13 interns through its Migrant-Councillor Internship scheme
  • Trained 18 participants originally from 11 different countries through its Migrant Leadership Academy
  • Trained 1227 frontline service providers in Intercultural Competency, ranging from civil society and community organising to State services and local government

The organisation also released several research pieces, toolkits and guides for improving the integration of migrant communities.

Commenting on the Impact Report 2023, CEO Brian Killoran stated: “As can be seen from the issues raised by communities and the supports provided by the Immigrant Council of Ireland, the wellbeing of migrant communities in Ireland is of great importance. Those who have come to Ireland to work, study, join family, or seek protection are an asset to this country, and we as a country must continue to support their integration process and value their contributions. Migration is crucial to Ireland, and yet the past 24 months have seen much negative commentary on migration and diversity. While there are challenges, we must not view this issue through the lens of crisis, we must broaden the conversation on migration to reflect the positive contributions of migrants, and to discuss how we as a country move forward together.”

Reflecting on the current negotiations on the formation of government, Brian Killoran added: “It is of vital importance that the incoming government, whomever it is composed of, take the opportunity to reset the negative tone of commentary on migration. We have a choice as a country on how we develop better responses and supports for those who migrate here, and the toxic narrative which has taken hold in other countries has no place here. We are a country of emigrants, whose nationals have enriched countless other countries as they travelled for opportunity and, at times, sheer necessity. Those who come to Ireland are no different, they are human beings deserving of respect, dignity and the right to live their lives in safety.”

The Immigrant Council of Ireland also urged the incoming government to set a vision and approach for migration and integration in Ireland going forward which ensures that each member of our communities are valued and respected.