The Government must establish political structures that will deliver a comprehensive and integrated response to the needs of a rapidly growing population of migrant workers and their families. The appointment of a minister of state with inter-departmental influence and sole responsibility for this complex area would be preferable to the establishment of a Cabinet sub-committee where nobody would be directly accountable.
Recent work by Minister of State for Children Brian Lenihan has shown the benefits of such an approach.
A quarter of a million migrants from eastern Europe registered to work here during the past two years. And an estimated half-a-million immigrants are now gainfully employed in the economy. They have contributed significantly to Government taxes, to wealth creation and to robust economic growth. That inward flow of labour is continuing, mainly from Poland, Lithuania, Slovakia and Latvia. And the Economic and Social Research Institute estimates that a further 130,000 foreign workers will come here in 2006 and 2007.
Such an unprecedented influx of people has created social and administrative problems. And the Government has attempted to address them. Eighteen months ago, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell published a National Action Plan Against Racism designed to protect such workers and their families. A strategic monitoring group was appointed to consider their level of access to health, education, housing, childcare and other services. And efforts are being made to encourage their integration into a changing Irish society.
These are important and well-meaning initiatives. But they are insufficiently funded. And they do not reflect the magnitude of the issues to be addressed or the limited time-frame available in which the Government and public service administrators must develop and embrace a co-ordinated national campaign designed to welcome, educate, empower and integrate these people and their dependents into society. The cost of failure, in terms of unemployed and alienated young people, can be seen on the streets of London and Paris.
Many immigrants have made their homes here and intend to stay. They work hard and pay their taxes. And they should be welcomed as a creative and dynamic new element in Irish life. Unfortunately, they are not always viewed in that manner, particularly in inner-city communities where they are sometimes regarded as competitors for limited social resources.
Economic uncertainty and social change contribute to hate crimes against ethnic minorities. And political controversy can fuel racial tensions. That is why any unscrupulous candidate who seeks to play the race card in the coming general election campaign should be immediately expelled. There can be no equivocation by political parties. In the meantime, urgent action is required to put in place structures that will help to integrate these workers and their families into mainstream society.