Concerns raised over integration of migrants

CONCERNS OVER the future integration of foreign migrants in the north Dublin suburb of Ballymun have been raised in a report published yesterday.

The report, drawn up by the Ballymun Intercultural Group (BIG), found that most of the area's migrants are concentrated in a small amount of new private apartment complexes.

The majority of Ballymun's migrants moved to the area in the last two years attracted by increased private rental accommodation built as part of the area's regeneration. Migrants make up 7 per cent of Ballymun's population, according to the 2006 census.

Most of the respondents (80 per cent) to the survey moved to the area in the last two years. The majority, 67 per cent, came from the EU accession states, with 50 per cent coming from Poland.

This report is an "opportunity to plan services in the community to support and develop positive integration," said BIG spokeswoman Ann Scully.

An increased demand for school places is expected because of the demographic of the migrants and this may cause a shortage of school places in the future, the report finds. Most of the migrants (90 per cent) are aged between 20 and 44. Increased local job opportunities was cited as a major factor in attracting them to the area.