Ireland ‘hosts 165 immigrant languages’
The revelation was made at a launch yesterday of Ireland’s largest research project into immigration.
The €6 million project will take four years, focusing on issues such as employment, social policy, culture and languages.
The study, the first of its kind, hopes to pave the way for immigrants living here in future years by also looking at their needs including pensions and religious issues, such as the influence of African-led churches.
Launching the initiative at Trinity College Dublin, sociology professor James Wickham stressed that there was a chance to plan ahead for the growing multi-ethnic communities here.
“The country has a narrow window of opportunity to plan for and maximise the benefits of the economic, social and cultural contribution of immigrants to Irish society and to minimise the risks,” he said.
Allied Irish Bank had provided initial funding, but academics said more would be needed and expected to seek backing from the private and public sectors.
Researchers also wanted to address areas of concern including why immigrants are earning one-third less per hour than Irish people.
