The Minister for Integration, Conor Lenihan, today defended the contribution made by non-Irish nationals who have arrived to the State.
Mr Lenihan, who was speaking at an Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) event, said: “What has happened in this country over the past few years, especially since May 2004 has not been like experience anywhere else in the OECD countries.
“The arrival of the newcomers coincided with our rapidly growing economy, and these newcomers were able to contribute to that growth as well as earn sufficient money to support themselves and plan for their futures.”
Responding to the weekend headlines about the number of non-Irish workers registering as unemployed, Mr Lenihan said: “What the figures show is the fact that people came here to work, not simply to claim welfare benefits.
“An implication of the headlines is that everyone registering as unemployed will automatically qualify for payment of benefits. This is not the case because claimants must show that they are habitually resident here.”
The Minister said that the introduction of this requirement by the Government in 2004 and its retention “was a prudent and sensible provision”.
Reacting to calls for the introduction of stricter immigration controls the Minister said “The fact is that immigration is reducing in the face of the declining job market.
“To the end of August this year, 41,000 fewer PPS numbers were issued to non-Irish nationals, compared to the end of August last year. Already it is clear that the numbers coming to work from EU countries are down substantially.”
He also noted there had been a fall of 33 per cent in the number of work permits issued up to the end of August, compared to the number issued in the same period last year.
The Minister concluded: “The current worldwide turbulence on the financial markets will come to an end. When that happens we will need to make sure that Ireland remains a place where people will want to work, live and enjoy what Ireland has to offer.”
Mr Lenihan was opening the ICI’s discussion of the challenges of integration in Ireland during an economic downturn.
