Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael)

I thank Senator Donohoe for sharing time. I welcome the Minister of State at the Department of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Pat Carey.

We live in a multicultural society. Those of us who live in Cork would never have thought we would come to live in an Ireland in which we would be obliged to embrace different cultures, languages and nationalities. We should take cognisance of the latter in formulating a phased, planned integration policy. The Minister of State, Deputy Conor Lenihan, who was present earlier, was correct to state that the integration of newcomers is one of the most important social issues we face. It is regrettable that we did not have a planned integration policy in the education sector. It is important that young people entering the country are welcomed and begin their studies here in a positive manner.

I welcome Deputy Conor Lenihan's appointment as Minister of State with responsibility for integration. Census figures indicate that the percentage of immigrants entering the country is continually increasing. It is imperative, therefore, that these people be integrated. Senator Regan referred to existing immigration legislation, applications for residency permits, the work permit system, driver safety legislation and the education system. I appeal to the Minister of State to continue to examine ways in which we might introduce improvements in these areas. We must reinforce, in particular, the work done by teachers who are being frustrated in their efforts to reach out to people. As a former teacher, I am acutely aware of what is happening in this regard.

Planning is a vital factor. I pay tribute to the Cois Tine group in Cork which operates under the leadership of Fr. Angelo Lafferty and his team and the SMA Fathers. This group works with people and helps them integrate into our society. It behoves us all to dispel the myth relating to racism and to deal with the intolerance that exists in many parts of our society in respect of new communities.

The needs of migrants have changed and are centred on information and help in respect of the asylum process, particularly as many of them have moved out of asylum centres and into communities. These people face a struggle in terms of dealing with issues relating to housing, employment, schools and integration.

The issue of education is critical and I appeal to the Minister of State that, even if we do nothing else in respect of our integration policy, we ensure we empower our schools and provide them with resources. I have worked in the area of education and I encountered immigrant students and their families who had difficulties adjusting. We must remember that one size does not fit all.

We need to support ethnic groups, reinforce the work being done by many great organisations — in Cork it is done by Cois Tine and NASC — and build bridges to new communities. By doing so and by building on the good work that has already been done, we will avoid the regrettable ghettoisation that is beginning to occur in some parts of our cities. I appeal to the Minister of State to put in place the structures that are necessary to build and create new communities.