Sir, – There has been much debate about Ukraine’s refugee crisis and the challenges for Ireland and other EU member states. The discourse prompted me to take another look at the Government’s migrant integration strategy document A Blueprint for the Future.
The strategy envisaged a “whole-of-government” and “whole-of-society” approach to promoting the integration and inclusion of all migrant communities, it specified policy and practice objectives in the following areas: economic and employment; language; communication and information; community/social; cultural differences; racism; housing; and organisational matters.
The strategy also envisaged local authorities devising local-level integration strategies; mainstreaming integration across the totality of their work; increasing migrant community representation on, and participation in, consultative and participative forums (including joint policing committees and public participation networks), and supporting entrepreneurship.
Action 53 of the strategy states, “a Migrant Integration Forum will be established in every local authority area, ideally through existing Public Participation Network (PPN) structures, and will meet regularly”.
Kamala Harris is a descendant of an Irish slave owner in Jamaica
Artist and shepherd Orla Barry: ‘Breeding animals is like making an artwork. You’re putting certain animals together’
Tactical analysis: Clare got their numbers right, but it’s hard to measure sheer magic
Aer Lingus has agreed to increase pilots’ pay as industry challenges mount
Many councils have done considerable work to advance the migrant integration strategy in their communities, providing opportunities for new communities to network and to have their voices heard.
It is timely that we review our national migrant integration strategy to ensure all its objective are being meet as we prepare to put in place more long-term arrangements for new homes and safe places for Ukrainians and indeed others fleeing their homeland. – Yours, etc,
Senator VICTOR
BOYHAN,
Independent,
Leinster House,
Dublin 2.