ORGANISATIONS working in the immigration sector face “difficult years ahead” according to the chief executive of the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI).
Denise Charlton, writing in the ICI’s 2011 annual review, noted that funding to the sector from philanthropic and government sources is “diminishing year-on-year” while demand for services is rising and issues affecting migrants are “becoming more complex and diverse”.
The ICI is among a number of organisations currently providing services to and advocating for immigrants.
Charlton wrote that the ICI cannot meet demand for its services and that its long-term financial stability is not secure.
“And now, more than ever, there is a need for an organisation that highlights the rights of migrants and their families, and works towards progressive change,” she wrote.
The ICI chief executive informed Metro Éireann that its funding levels “vary year to year”, and a requested figure was not made available in the emailed response. Some grants and funding arrangements are drawing to a close this year and the ICI intends renegotiating with funders in this regard, said a statement.
Among the ICI’s current funders are the European Commission, The Atlantic Philanthropies, the Sisters of Charity, the Citizens Information Board, and small grants from miscellaneous sources including the Anti-Trafficking Unit in the Department of Justice, Equality and Defence, in addition to donations from individuals and fundraising initiatives.
Charlton told Metro Éireann that demand outstripping supply has been a feature of the organisation’s work since it was established over 10 years ago, “but this trend will increase significantly in 2012 and beyond” due to the economic climate.
According to its annual review, the organisation’s Information and Referral Service responded to over 8,600 queries from people between 1 January and 30 November 2011 and this facility is among those being scaled back this year due to funding cutbacks.
The report, which details ICI achievements since its inception in 2001, refers to work in such areas as research into sex trafficking, submissions to international committees, racism monitoring, the creation of an independent legal centre to represent clients on immigration matters, and campaigns or advocacy on a range of integration and immigration issues.
The ICI report says it was encouraged by Justice Minister Alan Shatter’s introduction of citizenship ceremonies and administrative changes to address application delays during 2011, and that it will “continue its work on improving access to long-term residence and citizenship” by campaigning for further amendments to the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, which is due before the Houses of the Oireachtas this year.
