INTEGRATION CLIENTS

The Reception and Integration Agency takes a clear view that focused integration measures are only  applied to those with refugee status or leave to remain and it is in this context that the Agency is responsible for the co-ordination and implementation of  integration policy.  Such policy continues to be based on the report Integration - A Two Way Process - the result of a working group established by the Minister for Justice Equality and Law Reform and subsequently approved by Government.   

INTEGRATION POLICY

The concept of integration is a complex one and while there are many different views as to what constitutes integration, it is clearly an important ongoing social process with rights and responsibilities for both newcomers and the host population.  The Agency's policy in this area seeks to recognise this complexity and to acknowledge the long-term nature of the process while at the same time addressing current issues.

POLICY OBJECTIVES

Integration measures for the Agency's clients are underpinned by the following general policy objectives:

• To ensure the upholding of the rights of all newcomers regardless of ethnic and cultural background.
• To create opportunities to enable newcomers to effectively participate in the economic, social and cultural aspects of Irish society and by so doing to exercise their rights and to discharge their responsibilities.
• To promote the development of a tolerant inclusive society in which both newcomers and host society, irrespective of background, can, over time, share and develop a sense of  being Irish while respecting the cultures and practices inherent in the emergence of our new multicultural society.
• To encourage and assist the host population to understand and value the economic and social contribution of newcomers.
  

MEETING THE OBJECTIVES

In terms of delivering on these objectives the current strategic approach of the Agency is as follows:

• In relation to the Agency's client group, to liaise with all State and non-State bodies and agencies in the implementation of the overall integration objectives set out in the National Action Plan against Racism.
• To make a contribution, wherever possible, to the awareness and education of the host population.
• To maintain and enhance the Agency's procedures and practices for receiving and integrating programme refugees.
• To engage with all service providers at a strategic level so as to ensure the earliest availability of mainstream services for newcomers with a particular focus on education, health, employment and housing.
• To assist, facilitate and co-ordinate the activities of service providers in capacity building for a multicultural environment with a particular emphasis on continuing and developing a multi-agency approach.
• To encourage the empowerment of refugees through their effective involvement in integration measures.  
• To specifically identify common agendas with NGOs  and to engage effectively with them in addressing those common agendas.
• To maximise the use of the integration element of the European Refugee Fund through the selection of projects with the best potential for achieving overall integration policy objectives. 
• To engage with our European partners in  transnational projects and exercises of mutual benefit in the area of integrating refugees and  those with leave to remain.

The following table is an overview of persons admitted under Government Programmes and does not reflect the numbers currently in the country.

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