Sir, – The need for a national integration strategy which covers every aspect of Irish life has been further highlighted by the confirmation that one-in-eight second-level students was born overseas ("More than 140 nationalities attend Irish secondary schools", August 19th).
The work being undertaken by individual schools such as Adamstown Community College [in west Dublin] which has been highlighted by your reporters is to be applauded but it also highlights the lack of centralised and political leadership on the issues involved.
The clustering of students of an immigrant background into a small number of schools is not only wrong but could set the country on a course for segregation and all the social damage and dangers that come with that. The observation by Prof Dymphna Devine that we need to create an education system which is “inclusive and engages with those who are different” is a good foundation for a debate which the country has yet to have. In our efforts to promote integration the Immigrant Council of Ireland has forwarded an election manifesto, “An Equal Ireland for All”, to every TD and senator.
It seeks the appointment of a minister for integration, with a seat at cabinet, who will oversee the roll-out of a new national integration plan. We are also calling for fair and equal school admission policies and the promotion of interaction between pupils in classrooms and playgrounds.
The forthcoming election and any subsequent programme for government is the opportunity to address these shortfalls and to provide for the proper debate which Prof Devine advocates.
– Yours, etc,
BRIAN KILLORAN,
Chief executive,
Immigrant Council of
Ireland,
2 Andrew Street,
Dublin 2.