Royal Irish Academy
Third Sector Research Programme
2001 Research Grant Application
Synopsis of project
The role of NGOs and local community organisations in the reception and integration of asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants in Irish society
The past five years have seen a substantial flow of immigration into Ireland, including immigrants from other EU countries, third country nationals, asylum seekers and refugees. Strong inflows (economic, humanitarian and family reunification) are likely to continue.
The emergence of a multi-ethnic and multi-cultural Ireland poses substantial challenges for our society, which lacks the experiential, policy, legal and institutional dimensions which have developed in many other European societies over a period of more than fifty years since the Second World War.
For a variety of reasons, the voluntary sector has played a more substantial role in Ireland in the provision of social services and in action to combat social exclusion than is commonly found is advanced northern European welfare states. In the case of services and support for new immigrants, irrespective of their background, a similar picture is emerging.
This project proposes to examine that role. While using a local NGO in Cork as an example, it will also identify best practice models in Ireland and elsewhere, consider the most appropriate ways in which statutory and third sector agencies can work together within a partnership model, explore issues of resourcing and examine how the voluntary sector can assist new immigrants towards self-empowerment and full participation in civil society.
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