Government funding for the integration of migrants into society is being directed to groups claiming to represent ethnic communities rather than to the communities themselves, a conference heard yesterday.
Issah Huseini, co-ordinator of the New Communities Partnership (NCP), told the group's annual conference that a much greater effort was needed from Government to boost ethnic minority participation in building an intercultural Ireland.
"Unless there is a genuine effort to engage with us directly, we'll never belong; our children will never belong; our children's children will never belong and everyone knows what the consequences may be when a large section of a society feels disconnected," he said.
Mr Huseini said the genuine work of community-based ethnic groups was enabling migrants to acquire the skills needed to engage with the State as well as the other pillars of Irish society.
However, he said many felt neglected and that it was only a matter of time before the lack of State funding for such work was interpreted as a form of "systemic institutional discrimination and racism".
Speaking to an audience which included the Minister of State with responsibility for integration, Conor Lenihan, Mr Huseini said: "We seriously urge you, Minister, to give this immediate attention. We are part of the equation when it comes to integration. And we cannot take up our place as powerful equals in a shared agenda if we are not resourced to participate on an equal footing with every other stakeholder."
He added: "We want to see tangible and visible outcomes for all integration-related investments. We want to see openness, transparency and accountability, equitable distribution of resources and fairness in all integration initiatives."
President of the Irish Human Rights Commission, Dr Maurice Manning, said recognition was vital for ethnic groups seeking to have their voice heard in society. Integration could only be achieved through "genuine partnerships".
Mr Lenihan said the opinions of newcomers and the indigenous population would be listened to in the form of a new taskforce on integration next year. He said the taskforce would consult widely.
