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Programme Overview
- Northern Ireland
- Republic of Ireland
- South Africa
- United States
- Grantees in Action
- News & Reports
Related Information
Promoting Immigrants’ Rights
The Immigrant Council of Ireland is working to build respect for diversity in Ireland and promote the rights of the increasing immigrant population. More »
Facts at a Glance
- Almost one in three people with a disability in 2004 reported having no understanding of their rights. 1
- A recent survey found that 26.9% of Irish people said they would not like to have a homosexual as a neighbour – indicating that LGBT individuals have cause for concern about making their sexuality public knowledge. 2
- In 2002, population figures found that about 5% of the population, or 182,000 people, were foreign nationals. 3
The Situation in Brief
Although Ireland’s economic success over the last decade has helped bring about progress in many areas, there is growing concern about increasing levels of inequality, prejudice, racism and discrimination experienced by certain groups in Irish society. Legislation and services do not provide enough help to those suffering discrimination. Strong independent organisations are needed to advocate on behalf of the disadvantaged.
Reconciliation & Human Rights Programme Goals
The goals of the Reconciliation & Human Rights Programme in the Republic of Ireland are as follows:
- Strengthen organisations dedicated to helping secure better protection of rights and better access to services for immigrants, people with disabilities and the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) community.
- Ensure that a network of effective organisations exists to help advance human rights and assist these organisations in co-ordinating their efforts.
Reconciliation & Human Rights Resources
- Report from Amnesty International Irish Section and the International Human Rights Network: “Our Rights, Our Future - Human Rights Based Approaches in Ireland: Principles, Policy and Practice” More »
- Amnesty International, www.amnesty.ie
- Free Legal Advice Centres, www.flac.ie
- Centre on Migration, Policy and Society, www.compas.ox.ac.uk
- Network of European Foundations, www.nefic.org
- European Programme for Integration and Migration, www.epim.info
More Facts At a Glance
Disability facts
- Some 37% of people with a disability have a job, compared with 64% of the population as a whole.4
- In 2004, more than 13,000 people with a physical or sensory disability were waiting for assessment for therapeutic or rehabilitation services, or waiting for the services to be delivered.5
LGBT facts
- According to a 2001 survey, only three countries in the European Union had a higher percentage of the population than that of Ireland indicating they would not like to have a homosexual as a neighbour – Greece, Italy and Northern Ireland.6
Migration facts
- The total immigration flow in the 12 months leading up to April 2005 was estimated at 70,000 – the highest figure on record since the present series of annual migration estimates began in 1987.7
- The country is expected to absorb more than 50,000 immigrants a year for the next 12 years (starting in 2005). 8
- From May 2004 to August 2005, more than 128,700 people from the 10 EU accession countries were allocated Personal Public Service Numbers (PPSN) in Ireland.
Continue to read about our Reconciliation & Human Rights Programme in action in South Africa »
Footnotes
1, Source: Central Statistics Office (2005) Quarterly National Household Survey
2, Source: Halman, 2001: 42
3, Source: European Migration Network, The Impact of Immigration on Europe’s Societies: Ireland
4, Source: Central Statistics Office (2004) Quarterly National Household Survey
5, Source: Health Service Executive National Service Plan, 2005
6, Source: Halman, 2001
7, Source: Central Statistics Office, April 2005
8, Source: Minister of Social and Family Affairs, 2005