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Call for national strategy on integration of migrants

Sibusiso Tshuma, who works with IP applicants, is among those attending a conference on the issue in Dublin
Sibusiso Tshuma, who works with IP applicants, is among those attending a conference on the issue in Dublin

The Immigrant Council of Ireland has said that it is struggling with a lack of national strategy when it comes to migrant integration.

Chief Executive Teresa Buczkowska said that a framework is need for the council, local authorities and people in general to guide them through the integration process.

She also said that the Government could improve its communication with communities ahead of the arrival of new migrants.

"If you communicate with people in advance and you explain how is that going to affect the community and if you empower the community with resources and information, I think everything is going to work out really well because that this happens every day.

"Every day people are moving to local communities in most places are there is no issues whatsoever.

Ms Buczkowska's comments came as the Immigrant Council of Ireland hosted a conference in Dublin on the future of migrant integration.

Experts and community leaders gathered at Ireland's oldest legal institution, King's Inns, to hear about the challenges that migrants and communities face.

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Communities across the country have criticised the Government's lack of communication and resources when it comes to migrant integration.

Refugee Sibusiso Tshuma, who works with International Protection applicants in Donegal, said that for those seeking refuge, the issues are similar.

"All of a sudden you are thrown into the deep end and you don't know what you are supposed to do.

"You have to find your own housing. You are just on your own. Sometimes people haven't started working.

"Or then they have started working but the jobs don't pay that much and so they are kind of left hanging and they don't know who to approach and how to go about the whole process".

Speaking at the event, Minister for State for Migration Colm Brophy said that a national integration strategy has been promised in the Programme for Government.

"This new national strategy will build on the momentum of its predeccesor - detailing how we address the ongoing and emerging needs in supporting migrant integration in Ireland while also meeting the demands and opportunities facing our society and economy over the next decade," he said.

Mr Brophy said that engagement with communities is important.

"I think that is really important that we communicate that we actually engage with local communities, that we have a stronger engagement, because what is really important is that local communities and people who have arrived into local communities have an opportunity to integrate together, to know and understand each other, and to actually see the benefits that can bring to local communities".