The Integration Centre is a non-governmental organisation which is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland.

THE STATE spent €69.5 million housing and caring for asylum seekers last year, with the majority of funding used to pay for commercially owned housing.

Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre, said “The only winners in this current system of direct provision are the commercial companies the State pays millions in order to deal with an issue they don’t want to face.”

The Direct Provision system leads to mental health issues amongst asylum seekers.

Asylum Seekers living in Direct Provision centres around the country suffer from extremely high levels of mental illness and are not gaining access to the supports required for such a vulnerable group, while government policy does nothing to improve their circumstances.

The Advisory Group on School Patronage has published its recommendations for the transfer of patronage from the Catholic Church.

Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre said “Ireland has changed greatly in the recent past. Not only is 12% of the demographic from an immigrant community but the Irish of today are significantly different culturally to the Irish of fifty years ago.

The population breakdown figures compiled from the Census 2011 have been released today by the Central Statistics Office and reveal that inward migration is still a notable characteristic of modern Ireland.

The publication entitled This is Ireland show’s that the number of Irish residents who were born outside Ireland continues to increase and stood at 766,770 in 2011 an increase of 25 per cent on 2006.

The report Monitoring Integration in Dublin City will be launched in the Woodquay Venue, March 27th, by the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Cllr Andrew Montague at 11.30am. 
Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre said “The report, which is a high resolution snapshot of the status of immigrants in Dublin, will serve as a tool for politicians, services providers and the general public as to what work is being done in the area of integration and also point to gaps in service provision.”

Date:
Saturday, 26th May 2012
Venue:
Morton Stadium, Santry, Dublin
As part of Africa Week 2012, the Dublin Multicultural Centre in partnership with Sport Against Racism Ireland (SARI),Cradle, the Integrated Academy for Athletic Performance of the Offaly Sports Partnership, the Integration Centre with the support of Akidwa, Athletics Ireland, Clonliffe Harriers, Communicorp, Fingal Ethnic Network, the Immigrant Council of Ireland, Insaka Ireland, the Kip Keino Foundation, the Mo Farah Foundation, Metro Eireann and Sport Aid from Africa will stage a unique Africa Week Athletics event, oneracehumanrace.

A range of athletic events for juveniles from U-8 to U-16 as well as junior, senior and masters’ events will be held.
Guidelines and details of entry are set out in the document below:

Africa Week Athletics 2012 – Guidelines & Registration Form

Press Release        1/2/12

The Integration Centre Presents Survey Findings to TDs

The Integration Centre will present the findings of a survey of TDs attitudes to immigrants and integration in Leinster House today (1/2/12).

A release of some of the survey's findings in December grabbed headlines. It was revealed that despite the fact TD’s were aware of racist attitudes, 60% having encountered racism while canvassing, more than a third also felt that speaking up on behalf of migrants would damage their electoral support.

Press Release 25/01/12

The Minister for Justice Alan Shatter has announced two new schemes to encourage immigrant investment in Ireland and boost the economy.

The schemes which have been introduced are the Start-up Entrepreneur Programme and the Immigrant Investor Programme.

Survey Shows TDs Recognise Potential of Immigrants But Fear Constituency Reaction To Any Open Support.

In a Millward Brown Lansdowne survey commissioned by The One Foundation, it was found that just 4% of TDs felt that speaking up for migrants would have a positive effect on their electoral support within their constituency – over one in three (36%) felt speaking up for migrants could have a negative effect.

Press Release 5/01/12

Response to Statement by Minister for Justice Alan Shatter 4/1/12

2011 saw a number of positive actions put in place by the newly appointed Minister for Justice Alan Shatter. However, it is imperative that this momentum continues to gather in the right direction.