The new Irish - Integration is delayed

Today’s report from the Integration Centre on how migrants are blending into Irish society shows that non-Irish nationals suffer higher levels of unemployment than Irish nationals.

Employment among Irish nationals fell by 10% between 2008 and 2011 but among non-Irish nationals it fell by 40%. This can lead to ugly — or more plainly said, racist — behaviour among those who feel their livelihoods threatened.

Emigration from Ireland has been a permanent part of our consciousness, so it should be easy for us to imagine the difficulties faced by the new Irish and support them as best we can for the ultimate good of us all.