The Government's policy of segregating asylum seekers and refusing them the right to work has isolated them from the rest of society and helped to foster resentment against them as "spongers", according to a report published today.
The NGO Alliance shadow report criticises the Government's lack of leadership and action in challenging racism in Ireland and claims its failure to gather adequate data on racist incidents has lead to a significant underestimation of their impact on victims and society in general.
It claims Government policies have led to increased racism and that official statements reinforced the view that many migrants were bogus asylum-seekers or on a "citizenship shopping trip".
"The Government not only fails to acknowledge the seriousness of racism in Ireland today, but on occasion seeks to deny its existence," the report says.
"The Government's failure to show political leadership in the fight against racism in Ireland is a major cause of concern to the NGO Alliance," it adds.
The NGO Alliance comprises over 40 independent mon-governmental groups working in Ireland to combat racism, foster community development and protect human rights.
Their report was produced in response to the Government's first report to the UN Committee for the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, submitted last year.
It is one of a number of shadow reports being submitted to provide information to the UN Committee from a non-governmental perspective.
The group claims the Government's report was drawn up without sufficient consultation with black and minority ethnic groups. They criticise the lack of a comprehensive policy on immigration and adequate immigration legislation.
They also highlight the Government's refusal to recognise Travellers as an ethnic group as being of serious concern.
Speaking this morning, the co-ordinator of the NGO Alliance, Ms Marian Tannam said: "Racism is one of the key challenges facing Irish society today. The Government's first report appears to be aspirational, rather than a real analysis of the reality of racism in Ireland today and effective strategies for combating it."