Press Release 24/10/11
Advocates from The Integration Centre assembled outside Leinster House today (24/10/11) to launch the ‘Make Ireland a Home’ campaign. Through a mocked up living room setting the campaign is designed to highlight the importance of positive integration strategies in the upcoming budget.
Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre, said “Harsh times are ahead and government spending cuts are set to be the harshest in recent history. The Integration Centre calls on Government to not only look at what needs to be cut but to wisely invest for recovery.”
“We are living in a time of austerity, therefore now more than ever we need to spend our money wisely with an eye firmly on the future at all times.”
“The staff and board of The Integration Centre have spent the last number of months debating and brainstorming the key aspects of immigrant integration which need to be addressed in order for Ireland to function in an equal, effective and successful way. This has resulted in the creation of almost eighty strategies which if implemented would make Ireland a better place. These strategies are listed in the recently launched Roadmap to Integration 2011.”
“We believe there are central issues which need to be addressed in this budget through the allocation of funding for:
- The creation of a mentorship programme for qualified professionals through SOLAS which would help in gaining English proficiency and enable people to find jobs matching their skill-set.
- The establishment of an Expert Migrant Consultative Group to government which would migrant proof legislation and policies.
- The development of a State recognised Directory of Accredited Interpreters to assist GPs and other HSE staff.
- In-service training for teachers and on racism and managing diversity.
- The funding and mandating of an organisation to co-ordinate the monitoring and reporting of racism to replace the axed NCCRI.
- The creation of a State approved certified orientation course designed to assist integration.
Mr Forde finished saying “if these changes are implemented now a strong foundation for future generations will be put in place, if not Ireland may very well witness the same type of turmoil that has gripped many other countries in Europe in recent history.”
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Contact: Helena Clarke on 01 645 3092 / 087-9610897; 1st and 2nd Floors, 18 Dame Street Dublin 2, helena.clarke@integrationcentre.ie, www.integrationcentre.ie
The Integration Centre is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. The Centre specialises in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels, and it also provides regionalized information, advice and training services. Evidence-based research influences positive change in legislation, policy and practice. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our network.