Professor Kathleen Lynch:

I will follow up quickly on what Ms Gibney just said in response to what the Chairman asked as to why there is perhaps not a sense of urgency about this. Speaking as a social scientist, I see this as a wider problem. People do not fully appreciate the value of what people can bring to Ireland. The people who come here want to come here. Usually, they have travelled long and horrendous journeys and have decided that they want to come and settle. We certainly know that there is research done with Syrian refugees who feel welcome here. We need to tell people what has been done in certain areas. For example, in the direct provision centre in Rosslare, there is a social inclusion and community activation programme that has been very successful with the local community. There are places of good practice and good example. We have a wider appreciation and I definitely think that is improving. People are beginning to appreciate that people have something to offer. Many of them are skilled people.

The other danger is - it is a very real danger and we often talk about this in academic life - that if one is out of one’s degree or skill programme for five years or more, one is often almost completely de-skilled. We must ensure that people are received and integrated as soon as possible.

For the family reasons Mr. Kirwan mentioned, emotional and mental health is an enormous issue for people who have been through war and conflict. Picking up on Mr. Kirwan’s point, bringing their family here is so crucial to their well-being because they are very family-oriented. For example, research with Syrian children and their parents show that they find it very strange in Ireland that people will greet a person on the street but will never invite that person into their house. They will be very polite and will say "hello" when they meet them but they will never ask such a person in as it almost has to be a formal arrangement. This may not be the case in rural areas but even there it has changed. Their family is so central to their existence and that is very important to remember but also the value that people can bring. Different cultures bring different views of life, different politics and different understandings of our own humanity. It is very important that we welcome them because of their value and do not to see them as a burden. I thank the committee.