Annual Policy Report on Migration and Asylum 2009: Ireland

Abstract

This report is the sixth in a series of Annual Policy Reports, a series which is intended to provide a coherent overview of migration and asylum trends and policy development during consecutive periods beginning in January 2003. Ireland continued to experience a period of economic crisis in 2009, with Gross National Product (GNP) and employment both contracting by over 8 per cent. The recession and financial crisis also led to a very rapid deterioration in the public finances and a dramatic shortfall of government revenue over expenditure. Two budgets took place in Ireland during 2009: a supplementary budget in April 2009 and Budget 2010 in December 2009. Changes arising included a reduction in Overseas Development Aid (ODA) and an overall reduction of 15 per cent in figures allocated to `Immigration and Asylum? services within government departments. During 2009 local elections were held in Ireland on 5 June, the same day as voting in the European Elections and two by-elections in Dublin South and Dublin Central. On 22 April 2009, John Curran was appointed Minister of State at the Departments of Community, Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs; Education and Science; and Justice, Equality and Law Reform with special responsibility for Integration and Community.1 In October 2009, a Renewed Programme for Government was agreed by the Green Party and Fianna Fail. Regarding immigration and integration, the Programme outlined a number of planned changes following on from the commencement of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill, 2008. Changes included announcement of schemes for consideration of cases of persons who have become undocumented through no fault of their own and for non-EEA work permit holders who have become redundant; consideration of extension of the Ombudsman?s remit in relation to certain immigration matters, having `due regard for the need to avoid systemic delays?; and removal of the Labour Market Needs Test for current and future work permit holders who have been made redundant. Regarding unaccompanied minors, the Programme announced the introduction of a scheme to examine the cases of `aged-out? unaccompanied minors over the age of 18 years on a `case-by-case basis? and asserted that government would `operate fully the provisions of the Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill as they relate to unaccompanied minors?, and committing to reviewing the Act and `if necessary, improve its operation in this regard?.