Immigrants will not contribute fully to Ireland's economy and society if they are confined to low-paid, unskilled jobs, the top research body for Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will warn today.
"Migration can enhance economic and social progress and prosperity, but this is not inevitable," the National Economic and Social Council's (NESC) report entitled "Migration Policy" will declare.
Immigrants must be encouraged to integrate, not to confine themselves long-term to particular industries and help the country as a whole to improve its body of skills and talents, the report said.
"Migration is unlikely to contribute to Ireland's economic and social strategy if it is driven by demand for labour at low levels of wages and conditions, or if migrants are confined to low-skilled, traded sectors that are highly cost-sensitive."
Irish people must not come to believe that immigrants can be corralled in low-paying jobs indefinitely.
"While many countries have used migrant labour to meet labour shortages, few European countries have achieved successful long-term integration into economic, social, cultural and political life.
"It can create situations in which some people are vulnerable to exploitation. It can weaken trust in the ability of public institutions to ensure the rule of law, which tends to become a self-fulfilling prophecy," said the NESC.
Rejecting the belief of many, the research body said immigrants had "not forced Irish people out of jobs", though there had been "some moderation of wage growth in particular areas".
"In the buoyant economic conditions that have prevailed, large-scale migration has coincided with significant growth in earnings across the economy," said the report, drafted by Dr Rory O'Donnell. "The effects of migration have been broadly positive. It has increased economic activity, enhanced skills and widened the range of services available," said the report.
However, some immigrants are being badly exploited: "The exploitation of some migrants is a real problem."
"To make a success of migration, Ireland must connect the elements of its migration policy more closely and factor the integration of migrants more fully into mainstream policies," it said.
Future new immigrants from outside the EU should only be allowed in if they possess particular skills needed by the Irish economy.
"This should prevent low-skilled migrants being trapped in low-paying, cost-sensitive and vulnerable sectors," said the report, the executive summary of which has been seen by The Irish Times.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern will launch the report today. The NESC-commissioned report from the International Organisation of Migration will also be published today.
