Integration Matters - Conference
PRESS RELEASE
Tuesday, 8th November 2022
Report finds challenges to migrant integration at the local authority level
Just one local authority provides mandatory staff training in all five areas identified by Immigrant Council of Ireland
More work could be done by local authorities to improve integration within staffing, diversity and corporate structures. That’s according to a new report, launched today (08.11.22) by the Immigrant Council of Ireland at their Integrations Matters Conference in Limerick, which found that just three of the 25 local authorities surveyed employ a stand-alone integration officer.
The survey was created to gauge the extent to which local authorities engage with the process of migration integration. It is part of the ‘Indicators for Local Integration (ILI) Index’ which seeks to measure progress in the area of migrant integration and to support local authorities in designing and implementing integration strategies.
Findings of the Report
25 local authorities responded to the survey which looks at the role of local authorities in migrant integration, their relevant policies and practices, and the extent of data collection on integration at local authority level. Key findings include:
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Just three out of the 25 local authorities surveyed employ a stand-alone integration officer, one of which is permanent and two are funded by the local authorities themselves.
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Of the five key areas identified in the survey - intercultural awareness, anti-racism and unconscious bias, diversity and equality, migrant integration and public sector duty - just one local authority provides mandatory staff training in all areas. In contrast, 13 local authorities (52%) do not require staff training in any of these areas.
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Ten local authorities do not have a current migrant integration strategy. Of those, four have never had a strategy; three indicated that they are currently developing their migrant integration strategy; while a further three previously had a strategy but it has not been updated. Of the 15 local authorities with a current migrant integration strategy, four are due to expire in 2022.
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No local authority scored more than 52% in the survey responses on data collection. The average score across all local authorities was only 23%.
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The areas that have seen most progress since the establishment of the National Migrant Integration Strategy in 2017 are Tackling Racism, Voting and Local Migrant Integration Strategies.
Commenting on the survey findings, Brian Killoran, CEO at the Immigrant Council of Ireland, said “The work of local authorities in migrant integration has never been more important than in 2022. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has led to tens of thousands of people seeking refuge and support in local communities across Ireland. This, coupled with rising numbers of international protection applicants, has placed more and more demands on the work of local authorities, city and county councils.
“Migration and integration are key areas which need to be at the forefront of all of our minds at community, regional and national level. But ultimately, integration happens in our local communities. This survey indicated that while progress has been made in developing policies and practices to support migrant integration, there is still work to do. A key area of concern highlighted by the survey results is the lack of data collection by local authorities. Collection and measurement of data is the only way to guarantee that services are reaching migrant communities and that integration strategies are actually working so we urge local authorities to ensure that the relevant data is collected on migration and integration.
“We have carried out the survey with the aim of establishing a baseline of what is working and what isn’t, what gaps exist, and how positive initiatives developed in one area can be shared with others. We hope that the findings of the survey, in conjunction with the ‘Indicators for Local Integration (ILI) Index’, will provide support to local authorities to progress their integration strategies and work towards building a more inclusive society.”
The full report can be accessed here.
ENDS
Contact: Sorcha Mac Mahon / Áine Kenny, Alice PR & Events, Tel: 087-7585337 / 086-3920452 Email: media@alicepr.com
Notes to Editors:
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Images from the conference are available here: https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?vanity=ImmigrantCouncil&set=a.10160453055974711
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The Indicators for Local Integration (ILI) Index will be launched later this month.
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The report is a compilation of the key findings across the eight specified categories from the Local Migrant Integration Index. The eight categories are:
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Progress on national Migrant Integration Strategy actions
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Local Migrant Integration Strategies
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Corporate Structure and Culture
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Local Authority Staff
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Multilingualism
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Migrant Participation in Local Authorities
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Voting
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Tackling Racism
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is the leading national human rights organisation working to defend migrant rights in Ireland. It provides free immigration advice and legal support through its helpline and law centre, as well as campaigning for immigration reform. The Council also provides support to victims of racism and human trafficking, and provides opportunities for migrants to connect with each other and their communities. Visit www.immigrantcouncil.ie for more information.
The Immigrant Council’s Anti-Racism Support service is available online at www.immigrantcouncil.ie/reportracism .
Follow the Council on social media:
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/immigrationIRL
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ImmigrantCouncil