Madam, – I refer to your editorial titled "Immigrant welfare", (April 6th). While I take issue on certain points I want to thank The Irish Timesfor the coverage it routinely gives to integration and related issues. This coverage can only serve to promote debate and discussion – and at times controversy – on issues facing contemporary Ireland.
Turning to some specific points I think your readers will wish to know the following in order to have a more complete picture of the present position.
Government policy in the area of integration was set out in the policy statement I published on May 1st last year, Migration Nation. I want to stress the approach is that services for migrants should be mainstreamed and provided by departments and agencies, etc, which provide such services generally.
It is regrettable that a number of commentators, including some active in the NGO sector, have not read the document or, having read the document, have not acknowledged that arrangements regarding funding, provision of services, etc, have altered to emphasise local involvement.
Turning to specific matters raised in the editorial.
Regarding the need for retraining for migrants, the contribution made by migrants to our economic growth has been acknowledged by the Government and recognised by, among others, the OECD. The Government has given priority to retraining so that our workforce will have the necessary skills to benefit from when the world economy improves.
In the context of migrant workers I have already met the acting director general and senior staff of Fás to discuss the various issues. This meeting was reported in The Irish Times (March 27th). Your editorial states “. . . immigrants tend to be disproportionately low-skilled . . .” and later states “. . . striking aspect . . . has been that our immigrants are a remarkably educated group . . .” Both statements are true and illustrate the challenge.
In the case of those wanting qualifications gained abroad to be recognised, Qualifications Recognition Ireland is in place for this purpose.
Regarding access to social welfare benefits, you state “discretion . . . must be used sensibly to ensure that deserving applicants are not left at the risk of poverty”.
I hope that, on reflection, you will agree that the role of deciding officers is to apply the law, rather than to apply subjective criteria about “deserving” as opposed to, presumably “undeserving” applicants for benefits.
On the question of language support, I, along with colleagues, regret the reduction in the number of full-time language support teachers in schools. You are correct to say that there will be 500 fewer full-time posts this year. In fairness, however, I think that your readers should know that about 1,400 full time and 500 part time posts will remain in place.
For adult provision, the VECs provide about 13,000 places for those who wish to improve their knowledge of English. Libraries also offer e-learning language facilities.
There are many voluntary groups assisting migrants to improve their English language skills – Third Age Foundation’s Fáilte Isteach is one such group.
Finally, in the case of the specific budget for my office, based on the current estimates, I anticipate that expenditure in the current year will be on a par with expenditure for last year.
As I hope is clear from this letter, my office is not a major supplier of resources in the field of integration, resources coming from the major spending agencies instead. – Yours, etc,