EU: The accession of 10 new member-states to the EU will present major social and employment challenges for entrant countries and existing members, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Ms Coughlan, has said, writes Olivia Kelly
Migration within the EU and from outside could create significant social and economic benefits for all states in the enlarged Europe, Ms Coughlan said. However, these benefits were reliant on proper integration.
"The degree to which these benefits are realised is closely related to the extent to which successful integration can be achieved. Therefore the Irish Presidency supports the view that the EU must address the challenge of integrating migrants into the wider society in a comprehensive manner," she said.
Addressing a delegation of the European Parliament in Dublin yesterday, Ms Coughlan said employment and social services must develop an integrated approach that recognised the special needs of migrants with emphasis on liaising with wider civil society.
The Irish presidency would host a conference in April which would examine the risks posed to social cohesion by immigration without proper supports.
Initiatives to encourage people to work were vital to integration, she said. "The State, through the operation of its taxation and welfare systems, is always at risk of creating substantial disincentives to employment."
It was essential, she said, for member-states to undertake substantial benefit reforms, to "introduce incentives for entering the labour market and to take steps to reduce gender specific differences in the labour market".