Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Solidarity)
Link to this: Individually | In context

79. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he is concerned that his proposals on immigration will make it harder for refugees and other immigrants to integrate; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [68245/25]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Firstly, I understand the value of supporting the integration of migrants into our communities, and my Department invests in a range of measures to promote integration, including a series of community led initiatives.

I am delighted to announce today that 37 projects are set to receive over €1.5m in funding under the Ireland Against Racism Fund 2025, ensuring that both local and national organisations can carry out valuable and much-needed projects to promote cohesion and equality across our communities.

The wide range of projects receiving this funding further emphasises Ireland’s unwavering commitment to fairness, community and inclusion.

As the Deputy will be aware, last week Minister O'Callaghan and I announced a number of new policies and legislative changes to strengthen Ireland’s migration and asylum system.

We published the review of the non-EEA Family Reunification Policy, which has remained largely unchanged since 2013, and sets out how Irish citizens and most non-EEA Irish residents may apply to bring non-EEA family members to live with them in Ireland. The majority of these changes will take immediate effect, with longer term measures to be introduced as soon as operational considerations allow.

The policy will limit family reunification to immediate family members only.

An important consideration in all family reunification applications is the ability of the sponsor to demonstrate a clear capacity to provide for their family members if they are to be granted a permission to come to Ireland. New conditions will also be introduced over time to ensure sponsors have suitable private accommodation for their family before they arrive in Ireland.

The purpose of the revised Policy is not to deter people from integrating or making applications, but to ensure that people who are sponsoring an application have sufficient resources to provide for their family, without the reliance on public services or state funds.

Many of those arriving for the purposes of employment do have those resources and their applications will continue to be approved.

Separately, changes to legislation will ensure that Family Reunification for those granted International Protection status will only be granted in cases where it can be shown they have sufficient resources to support family members.

Minister O'Callaghan and I have also announced changes to the process for granting citizenship. Residency requirements for those granted international protection will rise from three to five years to bring them in line with the majority of other applicants. Clear guidance on the application of good character requirements will be developed, and a requirement will be introduced that applicants are not in receipt of certain social welfare payments in the period preceding their application.

I am of course committed to ensuring that migrants who have a legal basis to be here can integrate into society and I do not believe that the measures announced will have a detrimental effect on this. Earlier this week, 5,000 people were granted Irish citizenship in the latest of 25 joyful ceremonies held this year.

The measures I have outlined to the Deputy show how my Department support people to smoothly integrate into Irish society.