Huge rise in numbers of immigrants seeking help from charity

THE number of immigrants seeking help from a charity jumped by 120% in the last four months, new figures show.

The Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI) said that 1,086 people contacted them between October 2002 and June 2003 an average of 135 people per month.

"In the last four months, between June and October, the number has shot up to 299 per month on average that's a monthly increase of 121.5%," said Sr Stanislaus Kennedy, ICI chairwoman.

She said the biggest issue for migrants was family reunification.

"Their families want to join them. The highest number of callers concerned this. Migrant workers don't have that right, which is extraordinary given Ireland's commitment to the family," said Sr Stan.

She said the process of applying for permission is not easy.

"Seeking it is difficult. It's a long process, quite technical. There's a lot of form filling. People can only apply after they arrive."

Even if the family is allowed to come to Ireland, none of them are allowed to work and are dependant on the worker, she said.

Sr Stan said immigration was a permanent reality for Ireland.

"Some 200,000 foreign immigrants have come here since the mid-1990s that's 5% of the population.

"The vast majority come here to work, but we have not planned for them and introduced an immigration policy.

"They contribute enormously to our economy, but there's little appreciation of that and no strategy."

She said the 200,000 people include about 50,000 asylum seekers.

The ICI is also calling for work permits to be issued to individual employees rather than to employers.

Sr Stan said recent government decisions had created a climate of fear and confusion among immigrants. She said that as the Irish economy grows again we will need foreign workers to fill many of the jobs.

The ICI was set up in October 2002 with the help of government funding.

It no longer receives any State funding and has six staff providing information, legal advice and education.

ICI is holding a conference this Thursday on the future of immigration in Ireland. Speakers include former President Mary Robison and Bruce Morrison, of 'Morrison Visa' fame.

lICI contact details email: [e-mail]; website: www.immigrantcouncil.ie; telephone [phone].