Ireland has been ranked bottom of an EU-wide league table for not providing long-term residence rights for migrant workers.
However, it remains easier for migrants such as Brazilian meat workers or nurses from the Philippines to qualify for Irish nationality than it is for them to gain citizenship in many other European states.
These are two of the key findings in a major survey to be published today, which assesses member states' integration policies for immigrants and migrant workers.
The study found the Government has not yet created the status of "long-term resident", which means migrants' security to live in Ireland is discretionary and entirely based on their security of employment. Children, people born in Ireland and those who have lived there for many years can be expelled.
Migrants who live long term in Ireland without becoming Irish citizens have the least favourable rights in the 28 countries assessed, states the report.
It concludes integration policies in the Republic have evolved in a "piecemeal and economically driven fashion". This means a migrant's right to work, sponsor family members, access benefits and live in Ireland for long periods are still subordinated to work status. It also notes the introduction in January 2007 of a "green card" providing more rights for highly skilled workers from outside the EU.
The Nordic states have the best practices for offering long-term residence rights to migrants, with Sweden scoring highest on the survey's Migration Integration Policy index. This compares legal conditions across Europe for migrants.
The Government's poor record on offering migrants long-term residency rights is balanced with a comparatively liberal regime in offering access to Irish nationality. For example, most first-generation immigrants are eligible for Irish citizenship after five years, and refugees can apply after three years. The survey notes recent reforms restricting access to Irish nationality for spouses of nationals and children of migrant parents.
However, it still ranks Ireland joint fourth with Britain in the EU for offering access to nationality. Sweden and Belgium are ranked in top place.
Austria was ranked bottom in offering access to nationality. In some EU states, migrants face much longer periods than five years to become eligible for nationality, and their children and grandchildren can face tough requirements to become citizens of their country of birth.
Citizenship can also be restricted if migrants have a low income, no health insurance or criminal records, finds the survey by the British Council and the Migrant Policy Group think tank.
The study also monitored immigrants' rights to protection from racism and discrimination; work; political participation; social security and healthcare; and members of their family joining them while living in a third country.
The University of Sheffield and Universite Libre de Bruxelles were the research partners. The study measured 140 indicators of migration and conducted interviews with a wide range of stakeholders.
All EU states, except Bulgaria and Romania, took part.
Switzerland, Norway and Canada also participated.
HOW WE COMPARE
Migration Integration Policy Index
Labour market access - joint 16th
Family reunion -joint 18th
Long-term residence - 28th
Political participation - 8th
Access to nationality - joint 5th (fourth of EU states)
Anti-discrimination - joint 13th
28 states took part in the study. High rankings (for example, first) indicate policies which offer more rights to immigrants and migrant workers.