Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 968: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress he is making towards ensuring new Irish people do not form parallel societies and structures but instead integrate into Irish society whilst retaining their own cultural heritage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30783/08]

Mary Upton (Dublin South Central, Labour)
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Question 969: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if best international practice is being followed to ensure Ireland reaps the full benefits of immigration and that new Irish integrate into Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [30784/08]

Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 968 and 969 together.

I would refer the Deputy to my statement on integration strategy and diversity management, Migration Nation, which I published on 1 May and which discusses the issues to which these Questions refer.

In that statement, I specifically referred to the need to avoid the creation of parallel societies, communities and urban ghettoes. I went on to outline new funding arrangements for the promotion of integration at local level and in sporting and other organisations. This funding is currently being rolled out.

In Migration Nation, I also dealt with international practice in relation to the integration of immigrants and how we can learn from the experiences of other countries while recognising that our situation has distinctive features.