Refugee racism ‘worse during recession’

IRISH attitudes towards immigrants are changing for the better but the recession is making integration more difficult, the head of the Refugee Information Service has warned.

Speaking at the launch of a new integration guide for immigrant youth and parents – the first ever of its kind – Jo Ahern said during the Celtic Tiger things were easier for people, but now in the recession, with 18% of all dole claimants immigrants, it was becoming more difficult.

The issues surrounding integration are not going away though, Ms Ahern said.