James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am pleased to have the opportunity to speak on immigration. While I recognise it can often cause concerns, particularly around housing and services, it is important we understand the overwhelming benefits inward migration brings. With an ageing population and an economy at almost full employment, we need overseas workers to fill labour shortages and continue to drive our economy. Some 20% of those of working age were born outside of Ireland. These workers who come from overseas are essential to the functioning of our society. Without them we would not have bus drivers, nurses, doctors or care workers and our shops would not have staff. The tech sector, which is so reliant on specialist skills, would shrink, and this would lead to our economy contracting and our tax receipts being decimated. In turn, public spending would have to be slashed and unemployment would rise. To avoid this, Ireland needs migrants.

In recent months, immigration has risen high on the political agenda. Thankfully, in this country there has never been a significant far-right element. As the country becomes more diverse, it is important this sentiment does not gain a foothold because when immigration becomes high on the political agenda, there is a real risk of a breakdown in social cohesion. This does not prevent us debating and discussing issues around immigration. Indeed, it is imperative we in this House make every effort to address people's concerns around challenges such as housing and services. We also must make the case for immigration clear to the Irish people. We know the vast majority of people who come to Ireland every year come to work or study. A small number arrive because they need our help and as a nation we have shown great compassion in our response to some of the most vulnerable people in the world. We have provided temporary protection to over 100,000 people fleeing Ukraine. These people are now part of communities across the country.

The number of people coming to Ireland seeking international protection has increased from a low base in recent years. Ireland is not alone in seeing these rises. The increase is, unfortunately, an inevitable result of the rise in global conflict, persecution and human rights violations. It is important to put the numbers coming here seeking protection into context. Until recently, Ireland was well below the EU average when it came to the number of international protection applicants. It was only in 2022 and 2023 that numbers stabilised around the EU average. My Department has been working hard to manage the increase in international protection numbers in a fair and efficient way, while ensuring the integrity of the process is maintained at all times. We have implemented a number of successful measures that are improving efficiencies and throughput and having a significant impact on the numbers being processed. Last year, the International Protection Office increased the number of monthly determinations to over 1,000 in November 2023 and plans to deliver at least 14,000 decisions in 2024. The introduction in November 2022 of an accelerated procedure for international protection applicants from designated safe countries of origin has successfully reduced processing times. These applicants now typically receive a first-instance decision in ten weeks, a significant reduction from a norm of 22 to 26 months early last year.

All of these reforms have the purpose of giving status to those in need of protection to rebuild their lives in Ireland, while ensuring faster decision-making in respect of those who do not meet the criteria. The Department will continue to support those who need our assistance, while ensuring the integrity of Ireland's rules-based immigration system is maintained. We will also keep developing efficient and effective migration pathways so the door remains open and the welcome is warm for all essential overseas workers who come to Ireland. They are key to helping our communities and economy thrive into the future.

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