On Friday 22 September, IOM attended and participated in the launch of it’s report – Managing Migration in Ireland: A Social and Economic Analysis. The Irish Taoiseach, Bertie Ahern, presided at the launch, which was organised by the National Economic and Social Council (NESC). The event was attended by a broad spectrum of stakeholders, including Government officials, leading academics, representatives of the public and private sector and other social commentators, along with media representatives. Following the Taoiseach’s speech, an address was also given by Rory O’Donnell, Director of NESC, followed by Frank Laczko, Chief of Publications for IOM Geneva. NESC had also produced it’s own report to Government, which drew upon the conclusions and recommendations presented in the IOM report.
IOM was originally commissioned in 2005 by NESC to produce a comprehensive research document which addressed the social and economic consequences of contemporary migration to Ireland, and which could be drawn upon by the Government in the shaping of future migration policy – as well as contributing to the ongoing public debate on migration. While traditionally being a country of emigration, Ireland has become a country of rapid immigration in less than ten years, attracting many migrant workers. These contemporary flows of migration, characterised by economic migrants have put Irish Government policy makers into un-chartered waters. .
Highlighting the importance of this research as a blueprint for informing policy making, An Taoiseach Bertie Ahern noted that whilst ‘the effects of migration have been largely positive’ , short term impacts are no guarantee that migration will work out well in the long run. It is broadly recognised that migration in Ireland has increased economic activity, enhanced skills and widened the range of services available for all, yet uncertainty still looms over the medium term effects and the future scale of migration.
In this respect IOM’s report addressed the socio-economic consequences of migrancy and projected Government responses in managing migration through legal provisions and a number of other mechanisms. It also addressed the validity of effective Government ‘management’ in order to ensure that there is to be equal reciprocal gains for all as a result of an efficient migrancy policy.
Three key findings of the IOM report found that
- There has been a sudden increase in the amount of migrants arriving in Ireland. This increase can be seen in the fact that since April 2000 the influx of migrants into Ireland has doubled (2005).
- Another significant trend in these figures is the composition of migrant workers. Formerly the bulk of migrants (50%+) consisted of repatriated Irish workers and E.U. migrants. Today there has been a significant increase in the number of migrants coming from EEA and non-EEA countries jointly attributable to 75% of migrant workers coming to Ireland.
- It has been speculated that the current levels of immigration are expected to continue for the next five to ten years where migrants will contribute 40 to 50 percent of the expected labour force growth in the decade to 2016.
Commenting on the IOM findings for effective management of reciprocally equitable migration, An Taoiseach noted that it is important in addressing these goals that a ‘whole of government’ strategy is adopted, drawing on a range of departments and agencies to provide for a clear and inclusive policy for managing migration.
Left on its own migration is unlikely to produce equitable benefits for all so effective management and consultation is paramount. IOM demonstrated that to date this has been lacking. There is no clear lead agency for migration and few policy coordination mechanisms amongst relevant departments and bodies exist. This need for coherent management highlighted by IOM is beginning to take tangible shape in the Government’s strategy. In this respect the government is harmonising immigration services through the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service (INIS) and has also enacted the Employment Permits Act 2006 which sets the legal framework for a new skills based economic migration policy.
In line with IOM’s recommendations, these measures which will be launched in 2007, aim to shift the strategy from short term migrants in unskilled sectors to drawing on long term labour migrants. To support this shift the Government is also preparing a new Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill which provides for the first time the status of ‘Long Term Residence’. Drawing on and supporting IOM findings, NESC director Rory O Donnell stated that ‘many migrants work in jobs that do not reflect their education and skills’ suggesting a adoptive strategy that would draw on and exploit skilled labour by attracting long term migrants, where traditionally Ireland had drawn on migrant labour sources from EEA countries who work in unskilled jobs
The future impacts of migration will depend on a broad range of factors, including general economic conditions and the socio-economic profile of migrants. Much will also depend on government policy and how migration is managed and Ireland will need to take a proactive approach to migration management. Migrants rights need to be protected and fostered and they should be integrated to endure equitable benefits for all. If properly managed it can bring economic growth and many other benefits and make Ireland society a more tolerant and ultimately, more resilient and adaptive one.
In concluding remarks, Bertie Ahern commenting on the report stated that “For my part and that of the Government, it provides a sound agenda for action in the development of our policies and programmes.”
