Gerry Folan, Office for Integration

1. Gerry Folan, Office for Integration Migration Citylab – Brussels 26th May 2009

2. The Irish Story • Immigration is relatively recent phenomenon Irish context • Emigration history more familiar • Influx of migration has been a key factor of Irelands exceptional economic growth over the last 10 years • Relatively liberal labour market policy. • 4m population and an immigrant population of over 10% immigration/integration key policy issue • Economic downturn slowdown in new migration • Evidence of increasing outflows of population • Immigration remains a permanent part of our sociocultural landscape. • Integration challenge

3. Profile Immigrant population The Census shows that Dublin City has the highest concentration of non-nationals anywhere in the state, with the figure standing at 15.1 per cent of total population. Of this figure, it is apparent that there is a particular concentration of eastern European migrants, notably from Poland.

4. Nationality in Dublin City (2006)

5. IMPACTS • Socio Cultural – Embracing new diversity • Citymix over 100 nationalities living in the city • ethnic media • ethnic food • ethnic clubs • ethnic music • cultural festivals and events • emerging markets , restaurants , shops • places of worship • cultural outlook receptive towards • new experience • low levels of racism in the city

6. Impacts contd: • Education • inner city schools now have majority of non national children • demand for additional supports language and special needs support • emergency response to demand for school places for non national children • Intercultural strategy for education • Housing • sufficient supply and a strong rental market • demand for social housing has not been a dominant factor to date • changed economic situation demand on social housing will increase • Increased homelessless among migrants • little no evidence of ghettoisation • Health • increase demand on health services • 25% health workers of immigrant origin immigrants make vital contribution to sustaining services • Intercultural health strategy • Sport • Major sporting organisations • adopting intercultural strategies .

7. Impacts contd: • Politics • Immigrants represent2.5% people on City electoral register. • There are no elected members from non national background on city council. • Number of central city electoral wards now have majority ethnic population. • Immigrants regardless of status have right to vote in local elections. • Migrant voters initiative project to promote political participation. • New candidates emerging for local elections June 2009

8. Spatial Impacts • No evidence of spatial segregation and there is reasonable spread of ethnic communities throughout the city • Some evidence of clustering and concentration particularly in central area. • Proximity to employment particularly services and construction,transport,adequate supply rental housing, and attraction of centre city living.

9. Ethnic Minorities Total as Local % >50% 25-50% 10-25% 5-10% < 5% Coolock Ballymun Finglas Beaumont Raheny Glasnevin Ashtown Drumcondra Clontarf Cabra Ballyfermot Kilmainham Ballsbridge Crumlin Rathmines Kimmage Terenure

10. Economic impacts –Pre 2009 • Migration has been driven by labour market demand in a period of unprecedented economic growth. • GDP annual 6.7% growth 1997-2005 major contribution by migrant labour • Labour force participation rates were up to 80 per cent for migrants, compared to a national participation rate of 64.5 per cent in 2007. • 16 per cent of the total workforce was comprised of non-Irish nationals in 2008 . • Sectors employment concentration migrant labour • Manufacturing 19.4% Wholesale Retail 18.9% • Hotels & Restaurants 37.7% Construction 16% • Hotels & Restaurants 37.7% Financial & Business services 16.1% • Health 14% Public Admin 1.9% Economic Impacts The city relies heavily on foreign investment and has been particularly successful in developing clusters in ICT, Financial Services and Life Sciences. The Dublin Region continues to attract word class global companies from these locations including the likes of Ebay, Google, IBM, and Wyeth. The top clusters that Dublin attracts in FDI are in ICT and Electronics (48 per cent of national projects) and Financial & Business Services (56 per cent of national projects). Dublin has also been successful in attracting some major life science projects (18 per cent of all projects).(FT Intelligence 2008

11. Economic impacts –Post 2009 • Sharp Increase in national unemployment – now 10.5% • Construction,retail,hotel and restaurants significant decline • Impact on migrant population increase unemployment • City has largest migrant population in state • Adverse impact social exclusion • International mobility patterns • Need to attract new migrants • High value skills

12. Live Register • Over 90 per cent increase in the live register • Over 20 per cent now non nationals

13. Unemployment -Unemployment up to 7 per cent - Latest estimates from Q1 2009 up to 11.4 per cent back to 1997 levels

14. Unemployment rates of immigrants typically exceed those of natives so Ireland no different. But there was an acceleration in the rate of unemployment among immigrants for much of 2008, especially among accession state nationals (Source ESRI data 2009)

15. Annual employment growth of immigrants was huge but steep decline in 2008, turning negative in Q4 2008 and exceeding the rate of decline among natives (Source ESRI data 2009)

17. “TowardsIntegration A City Framework”is a strategic initiativeof Dublin City Development Board led by DublinCity Council to develop a whole city approach tointegration. “While management of immigration is a matter for government, integration is a responsibility which falls on the city and its network of agencies.”

18. The Vision “Dublin City is a city of welcome, that creates trust, appreciation and protection for all its people and all its communities. A city that consciously celebrates diversity.”

19. The Principles • Promotes equality •   Prevents racism, exclusion, restriction or preference • Promotes interculturalism,interaction, understanding and integration • Promotes human rights • Prevents poverty

20. Integration definition “ Integration is a reciprocal process of adaptation over time between the individual migrant and the host society and is achieved through structural participation, social interaction and cultural competence ”

21. Integration Framework • The policy framework outlines the context of migration and settlement patterns in the city for the first time. • It sets a starting point to encourage all the partners/stakeholders at city level, in particular public service providers, to take ownership of integration.

22. Integration Framework • It consolidates research and information and draws on evolving national policy, European principles on integration and the experience of cities with a migration history. • It identifies key issues on information, services and barriers to progress. • It sets out a policy framework and a template for actions.

23. Dublin City Declaration on Integration The leaders of key state and city organisations come together in City Hall to sign a formal Declaration on Integration for Dublin City. This Declaration is unique in the Irish context establishing a pact on integration at city level and a strong message of commitment to the immigrant population of the city.

24. Dublin City Charter Leadership Implementation / Partnership Communication / Interaction / Engagement Representation / Participation Intercultural City / Learning / Exchange Integration Support / Funding Capacity Organisation Services / Change / Adaptation City Commitment to Anti-Racism & Discrimination Traveller Focus Monitor / Observation

25. The Diversity Dividend “As a capital city we are competing for skills and knowledge with other cities internationally. Managing our new diversity as an asset for the city,attracting and retaining migrant population, fostering a culture of openness in social,economic and cultural life will add competitive advantage and be one of the key drivers to achieving a successful city.” John Tierney, City Manager

26. Thank youGerry FolanOffice for IntegrationDublin City CouncilBlock 4 Floor 1Civic OfficesWood QuayDublin 8Ph: +353 1 222 3244 or +35386 8150972Email: gerry.folan@dublincity.ie