Ciarán Lynch (Cork South Central, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 374: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the position regarding the Ministerial Council on Migrant Integration; the purpose of the establishment of the council; the number of times same has met; if same was established under legislation; if the council is still in operation, the objectives that have been set for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24593/11]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Ministerial Council on Integration was established on a non-statutory basis in 2010 by the then Minister of State at the Department of Community, Equality and Gaeltacht Affairs, Deputy Mary White. Its purpose was to provide a forum where migrants could speak direct to the Minister of State regarding their experiences of integration in Ireland and thereby promote better-informed policy making by identifying any issues and bringing them to attention.

The Council is organised in regional formation and an inaugural meeting of each regional forum - Dublin, Rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster - was held in 2010. In the light of current Ministerial responsibilities, the future of the Council is under consideration and I will make a decision on the matter shortly.