Integration Monitor 2013

Rapid Increase in the Acquisition of Irish Citizenship Among Immigrants in Ireland

This is one of the key findings of the Annual Monitoring Report on Integration 2013, launched today by Frances Fitzgerald, Minister for Justice and Equality. The Monitor presents a range of indicators to measure different aspects of immigrant inclusion in Irish society, using the most recently available data.

Key Findings: Citizenship

• During 2012, almost 20,200 adults from outside the European Economic Area (EEA) acquired Irish citizenship. The number of non-EEA adults who acquired citizenship through naturalisation almost doubled between 2010 and 2011 and more than doubled again between 2011 and 2012.
• Between 2005 (when records began) and end-2012, almost 54,700 non-EEA adults acquired Irish citizenship. Assuming these citizens haven't left Ireland, this represents 31 per cent of the estimated adult immigrant population of non-EEA origin resident in Ireland at end-2012.

Unemployment

• At the start of 2013 the unemployment rate was around 18 per cent among non-Irish nationals, compared to just over 13 percent for Irish nationals. Immigrants were hit harder during the economic crisis and there is little evidence to suggest that they have benefited from the first stirrings of recovery in the Irish labour market.
• The youth unemployment rate (those aged 15-24 years) is very high in Ireland, and in early 2013 it was higher for non-Irish nationals (33 per cent) than for Irish nationals (25 per cent) in this age group. The unemployment rate for workers aged over 25 is also higher among non-Irish nationals than Irish nationals.

Education

• Data from the Programme International Student Assessment (PISA) in 2012 show that, in English reading, 15-year-old immigrants from non-English speaking backgrounds had lower achievement scores, on average, than their Irish peers, although the gap between the groups had narrowed since 2009.

• There was no significant difference in PISA mathematics tests between immigrant students and Irish students.

Poverty and Deprivation

• Income poverty rates, measured as the percentage of a group falling below 60 per cent of median equalised income,  were similar for Irish and non-Irish nationals in 2011. However basic deprivation (enforced lack of 2 or more items relating to food, clothing, heating and family/social life) was higher for non-Irish nationals, and was particularly high for Africans (44 per cent compared to 24 per cent for Irish nationals).

  Special Theme in the 2013 Monitor: Migrant Children at Age 3 This special theme was based on original analysis of data from Wave 2 of the Growing Up in Ireland infant cohort.

• In spite of their generally higher level of education, immigrant mothers of 3 year olds are, on average, less likely to be employed than Irish mothers. Related to this, immigrant children are less likely to be in non-parental childcare for eight hours or more per week.The exception to this pattern is mothers from Western Europe. Their employment rates are the same as those of Irish mothers (55%), the proportion of their children in non-parental childcare is very similar.

• Where immigrant children are in non-parental childcare, they are much more likely to be in crèche-based care than in the care of a relative. The lack of an extended family living in Ireland may make it more difficult for immigrant mothers to combine work and caring.

• Experience of financial strain, which increased with the economic crisis, tends to be higher among immigrant families, particularly those of African origin, but also those of EU Eastern European and Asian origin.

• There are small differences in terms of overall health and diet between Irish and immigrant children. In fact, immigrant 3 year olds, whose mothers are from Western Europe or EU Eastern Europe, have somewhat healthier diets than Irish 3 year olds.

Commenting on these findings, report author Dr Frances McGinnity said: “The past three years has seen significant improvements in the processing of citizenship applications, and the immigrant population now comprises a large group of immigrants with Irish citizenship who share the same rights and responsibilities as Irish citizens by birth or descent. Citizenship does not necessarily imply a full sense of belonging, but the very significant increase in the numbers applying for, and gaining, citizenship indicates progress towards the fuller integration of immigrants in Ireland. Notwithstanding the considerable progress made, challenges remain for Ireland in integrating its large numbers of new immigrants.” Killian Forde, CEO of The Integration Centre said: “This is the last Integration Monitor in a series of four which will be published by The Integration Centre. It is a crucial piece of work as, without an analysis of the statistics around integration, targeted, evidenced-based policy strategies cannot be put in place. In several European countries, the government supports the monitoring of integration, which is why The Integration Centre undertook the responsibility in recent years. However, due to funding cuts this will no longer be possible. We can only hope that the State will prove its commitment to promoting a socially cohesive society via providing funding in this area in the future.”

Note to Editors: 1. This study was commissioned by The Integration Centre and is the fourth in a series of four annual reports monitoring migrant integration in Ireland.  The core indicators in this Integration Monitor closely follow those proposed at the European Ministerial Conference on Integration held in Zaragoza in 2010. They are comparable across European Union (EU) Member States, based on existing data and focused on outcomes. The report also includes a special theme each year. The views expressed in this report are those of the authors and are not attributable to either The Integration Centre or the ESRI. 2. The study is jointly published by The Integration Centre and the Economic and Social Research Institute. 3. The study will be presented at the report launch at 10:30 am on June 30th at the Economic and Social Research Institute, Sir John Rogerson’s Quay, Dublin 2.   The Integration Centre is a non-governmental organisation which is committed to the integration and inclusion of people from immigrant backgrounds in Ireland. The Centre specialises in planning, monitoring and advocacy at city, local, national and international levels and provides regionalized information, advice and training services. Evidence-based research influences positive change in legislation, policy and practice. We have more than 250 affiliated organisations as part of our network.