Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 168: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals to produce a green paper on immigration and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27946/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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I can inform the Deputy that I have no plans at this time to produce a green paper on immigration and integration.

As the Deputy will be aware, in April 2005 my predecessor as Minister launched a public consultation process on the subject of immigration. The vehicle for this consultation process was a policy document outlining policy proposals for an Immigration and Residence Bill. The document was entitled "Immigration and Residence in Ireland". More than 120 organisations and individuals made submissions as part of this process reflecting a very wide range of concerns and interests in the migration system.

Following on from that process the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2007 was published and initiated in the Seanad on 25 April 2007. The current Government, as part of its agreed Programme for Government, committed itself to reviewing the Bill and accordingly the Bill was not restored to the Order Paper of the Seanad. However, it is my intention to bring forward a proposal to Government seeking approval for the publication of a new Bill, incorporating the substance of the published Bill, during this Session.

With regard to integration, the Deputy will be aware that Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D, was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform (with special responsibility for Integration Policy). Minister of State Lenihan will be involved in the development of a long-term national policy on integration which will be informed by widespread consultation at a national level, properly structured objective research and international experience and best practice.

Minister of State Lenihan has announced that he will be setting up a task force early next year that will consult widely to identify key issues affecting immigrant communities and report back to him with specific recommendations.

Brian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 169: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his proposals in regard to proactive planning, continuous data accumulation and analysis in relation to immigration and integration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27948/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Under the provisions of the Public Service Management Act, 1997 my Department is required to put in place a Statement of Strategy setting out its key goals and objectives having regard to the commitments contained in the Agreed Programme for Government and other Government priorities and initiatives which may be in place. My Department is at present engaged in that process and a Strategy Statement for period 2008-2010 will be available in due course. Having regard to the agreed goals and objectives identified in that Strategy Statement appropriate work plans will be put in place in order to progress those goals and objectives.

Data accumulation and analysis in relation to asylum and immigration matters forms a regular part of strategic planning in these areas. Data on a wide range of asylum and immigration areas is compiled and maintained on an ongoing basis, and used for the purpose of management reporting. Data maintained is regularly analysed in the context of both reviewing the effectiveness of administrative and operational arrangements and in policy development.

I should also mention that my Department is investing significant resources in new information technology systems in the immigration area to assist in the processing of applications from non-EEA nationals. This investment will also have benefits in terms of management information.

With regard to integration, the Deputy will be aware that Mr. Conor Lenihan, T.D, was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs, Education and Science and Justice, Equality and Law Reform (with special responsibility for Integration Policy). Minister of State Lenihan has established the Office of the Minister for Integration and has a cross Departmental mandate to develop, drive and coordinate integration policy across Government departments, agencies and services. In this context, the Minister of State will have a close relationship with Ministers and policy makers in other Departments.

Minister of State Lenihan will be involved in the development of a long-term national policy on integration which will be informed by widespread consultation at a national level, properly structured objective research and international experience and best practice.

Minister of State Lenihan has announced that he will be setting up a task force early next year that will consult widely to identify key issues affecting immigrant communities and report back to him with specific recommendations.