Enhancing Rights-Based Immigration Information Provision in Ireland

1. Brian Killoran, Immigrant Council of Ireland Equinet Training 28-29 April 2009 Dublin, Ireland

2. Immigrant Council of Ireland • Established in 2002 • Non-governmental organisation • Service provision • Information on rights and entitlements • Support and Advocacy service • Service for Citizens Information Service • Independent Law Centre • Lobbying • Policy and Research • Education and Training

3. The ICI believes immigration is a permanent and positive reality in Ireland and continues to lobby for integrated, transparent, rights-based immigration and integration legislation and policies which reflect this reality. • An individuals access to comprehensive and appropriate information on their rights and entitlements is central to them achieving their potential within the State and is a key determining factor in their integration experience. ‘Rights’ and ‘integration’ are inseparable.

4. Barriers migrants face to accessing information. • Complex immigration system, largely governed by Ministerial discretion, often lacking clear guidelines. • Lack of clear and accessible (translated, culturally appropriate) information on an individuals rights and entitlements from the State. (This is improving) • Lack of understanding from other government departments (Education, Health, Social Welfare) regarding a persons immigration status. • Lack of access to services by Undocumented migrants. • Social exclusion, language barriers, unwillingness to approach. • Lack of funding for community based initiatives and NGO’s. No funding line from government. ‘Top Down’ model of information provision from the State in general. • Funding cuts (NCCRI, Combat Poverty Agency etc)

5. Information Provision. • Information and Referral Service of the ICI assisted circa 10,000 queries annually. • Telephone service, supported by appointments. • Several languages available. • Support provided in terms of assisting with correspondence with Government agencies. • Referral to Legal Service where appropriate. • Information, support and representation given on aspects of the immigration system in particular. • Works with victims of trafficking for sexual exploitation and those who suffer domestic violence. • Referral and support on attached issues: housing, education, health, racist incidents, referrals to Equality Authority.

6. ICI has worked extensively with the Citizens Information Board to support, train and resource CIC’s nationwide on immigration issues, including: • CIB are a statutory body have proven record in information and support provision and have adapted in an extremely positive way to the emerging information needs of migrants presenting at their service. • ICI provide a phone helpline for Staff and volunteers of CIC’s • Extensive training of CIC network (Introductory and Advanced level training, pilot Advocacy course) • Attendance at User Consultation Group meetings for the CIB website to advise on content relevant to migrants. • Part of ICI’s campaign to ‘mainstream’ information provision to migrants.

7. The ICI’s website www.immigrantcouncil.ie contains detailed information on numerous issues in several different languages. Also available in printed format. Topics of publications decided from main queries to the ICI’s services. • Extensive research, including work with the Equality Authority on research ‘The Feminisation of Migration’. Translated service users experience of barriers and inequalities into policy recommendations • Leadership and Mentoring programmes for people from a Minority background, including training on how to engage with policy makers in Government. • Directory of Migrant Led Organisations in Ireland.

8. ICI has collaborated with and provided information sessions to regional networks of community groups and NGO’s, such as the Integrating Ireland forums. • Coalition work on particular issues with other organisations, community groups, church groups, reception centres (CADIC coalition) • Established forums with key state stakeholders (INIS, GNIB) to clarify policy issues and lobby for policy change. (Immigrant Information Network) • One Stop Shop. http://www.acidi.gov.pt

9. Summary. • Clarity must be provided by the State regarding the rights of a individual. This information must become more accessible. • Collaboration between community, State and NGO bodies is crucial to ensure maximum reach. Migrants have more confidence approaching NGO’s and community groups, and in general these bodies are more flexible and reactive to their needs. • Information provision needs to be mainstreamed, but also there is a need to ensure that rights are not dictated from the top rather there are communities are resourced to provide information at a local level. • There are large pockets of people that aren't being reached, are at risk of social exclusion and inequality, and are not engaging with, or being engaged by, the system.

10. Contact details Brian Killoran Information and Support Service Coordinator The Immigrant Council of Ireland 2 St Andrews Street, Dublin 2 Ph. 01 674 0200 CIC Helpline: 01 6740201 email: brian@immigrantcouncil.ie web: www.immigrantcouncil.ie