Immigration And Integration In Ireland An Amárach Research Report

1Strictly Private & Confidential

Attitudes to Integration in IrelandAttitudes to Integration in IrelandMain FindingsMain Findings

September 2008September 2008

© Amárach Research© Amárach Research

2Strictly Private & ConfidentialNational Integration Debate

Note on Methodology

Amárach Research conducted an online survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,000 adults aged 18+ in the Republic of Ireland on 1st-5th September 2008.

The survey was about their opinions on Ireland’s experience of immigration and their integration into Irish society.

Some of the survey participants were themselves foreign nationals living in Ireland, but they represent too small a sub-sample in this survey to separate out for analysis purposes.

The following charts show the main findings from the survey.

3National Integration Debate

Our history is one framed by emigration rather than immigration. But all that has changed.

The Republic of Ireland has experienced the net inward migration of 457,000 people since 1996; unprecedented in the country’s history.

How have Irish people been affected?


On Balance

‘‘Bad’:Bad’:• Females > MalesFemales > Males

• 18-24s18-24s• Lower IncomesLower Incomes


A Good Thing

Because the people Because the people who immigrated to who immigrated to

Ireland, often do the Ireland, often do the jobs, the Irish people jobs, the Irish people

dont want to do.dont want to do.

Leads to a better Leads to a better understanding of other understanding of other

cultures, which gives each cultures, which gives each of us a richer tapestry to of us a richer tapestry to

weave our lives. weave our lives.

It shows the celtic tiger It shows the celtic tiger is booming, but some of is booming, but some of

the immigrants have the immigrants have gone back home in the gone back home in the

last few months.last few months.

I think it's always good I think it's always good for a society to have for a society to have

outside influences as it outside influences as it leads to growth, more leads to growth, more open-mindedness and open-mindedness and general development.general development.


A Bad Thing

Because our own folks Because our own folks are being undercut by are being undercut by foreign nationals when foreign nationals when

quoting for jobs.quoting for jobs.

Too many foreign Too many foreign nationals coming in and nationals coming in and living off state benefits. living off state benefits.

We are ill-equipped to We are ill-equipped to deal with large deal with large

numbers of numbers of newcomers either in newcomers either in

infrastructural or infrastructural or social terms.social terms.

the whole culture of the whole culture of ireland has been ireland has been

diluted to the point diluted to the point where it is not where it is not

recognisable any recognisable any more . more .


Though the experience and scale of immigration is relatively recent, the process of integration is only under way ...


Degrees of Integration

‘‘Integrated’:Integrated’:• DublinDublin

• Higher IncomesHigher Incomes• Middle AgedMiddle Aged


There have been a number of initiatives aimed at integrating recent immigrants, that have also caught the attention of the wider population ...


Integration Activities

‘‘Not Aware’:Not Aware’:• 18-24s18-24s

• Lower IncomesLower Incomes• DublinDublin


Playing Their Part


The Government is seen as a key player in the integration process, with a central role ...


Rating Government

‘‘Doing Enough’:Doing Enough’:• Over 50sOver 50s

• Middle IncomesMiddle Incomes


The demographic impact of immigration is significant, especially as many young immigrants go on to form families ...


Some Impact

Health ‘Worried’:Health ‘Worried’:• Females > MalesFemales > Males

• Over 45sOver 45s• Lower IncomesLower Incomes

• MunsterMunster


The outlook for the economy is increasingly uncertain, with knock on consequences for attitudes towards further immigration ...


Future Options

‘‘More Restrictive’:More Restrictive’:• Females > MalesFemales > Males

• Over 55sOver 55s• Middle IncomesMiddle Incomes

• MunsterMunster


Looking beyond the next year or two, we can expect further changes as a result of the long term impact of immigration ...


The Future


In Conclusion

The Irish people are on balance very positive about Ireland’s experience of immigration over the past ten years.

The process of integration is still at an early stage, though considerable community efforts are supporting the process.

There are concerns about the impact of immigration on health and educational services, and an expectation that the Government could do more to respond to these challenges.

Looking to the future, economic uncertainty now means that most people expect greater controls on immigration in the future relative to the recent past.


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Questions on Immigration/Integration

Q1a. We are interested in your views on immigration and the effect it has had on Ireland. All things considered, do you think that immigration has been on balance good for Ireland, bad for Ireland or has made little difference to Ireland?-Good-Bad-Little Difference

Q1b. If Good: why do you say that?Q1c. If Bad: why do you say that?

Q2. How well do you feel that immigrants to Ireland have integrated into Irish society? Do you feel they have: CHOOSE ONE-Integrated almost completed-Integrated to a limited extent but will integrate further over time-Integrated to a limited extent and probably won’t integrate any further-Hardly integrated at all-Don’t know/not sure

Q3a. Are you aware of any groups in your area (e.g. sporting, cultural, political, church etc.) active in promoting the integration of immigrants? -Yes- No

Q3b. IF YES: which groups or organisations are you thinking of?

Q4. Thinking about the Government’s role in the integration of immigrants, do you think that the Government is: CHOOSE ONE- Doing enough about integration- Doing too little about integration, or- Doing too much about integration?

Q5. To what extent do you worry about the impact of immigration on a) our health services and b) our education services?- Not at all worried- A little worried- Extremely worried

Q6. Given the outlook for the economy, do you think immigration policy should be:a) made more restrictive, or b) made less restrictive, orc) left as is

Q7. Looking ahead, do you expect that a future Irish Taoiseach or President will be descended from recent immigrants to Ireland?-Yes-No-Don’t Know

Cover Image Credit: Funkor Child Art Centrewww.funkorchildart.com

Slide 3: The Shamrock & The Maple Leafwww.collectionscanada.gc.ca/ireland/021019-2200-e.html

Slide 7: /Film – Blogging The Reel Worldwww.slashfilm.com/

Slide 9: Seattle Timesseattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2004252767_ireland01.html

Slide 12: Irish Blogswww.irishblogs.ie/search/ireland/

Slide 14: New York Timeswww.nytimes.com/2007/01/25/business/worldbusiness/25youth.html

Slide 16: Financial Newspaperwww.josephpesce.com/2008/04/unemployment-latest-updates.html

Slide 18: Happy Newswww.happynews.com/news/6282007/ireland-gets-its-first-black-mayor.htm

Image Credits

Immigration And Integration In Ireland An Amárach Research Report

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