National Strategy for Migrant Integration

Published 2023

ODI’s submission to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth public consultation on the National Strategy for Migrant Integration.  

The Open Doors Initiative (ODI) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth public consultation on the National Strategy for Migrant Integration. Our submission calls for bold action to develop a National Integration Programme centred on intensive, employment-focused English language training, coordinated pre-employment supports, and stronger collaboration between Government, business and NGOs.

With the right investment and leadership, Ireland can unlock the potential of tens of thousands of people, reduce long-term dependency on social protection, and strengthen our workforce and economy for the future.

Key Recommendations

• Introduce a national, structured integration programme for migrants, refugees and asylum seekers, focused on early intervention and coordinated delivery across Government, business, ETBs, NGOs and employers.
• Provide intensive, sustained English language training with clear progression to higher proficiency levels and sector-specific workplace language aligned to participants’ skills.
• Ensure integration supports include personalised plans that build on migrants’ existing qualifications and professional experience to prevent deskilling.
• Fund and scale NGO-led pre-employment supports such as CV preparation, interview skills, Irish workplace culture training, mentoring, internships and employer engagement.
• Create clear, transparent and profession-specific pathways for the recognition of foreign academic and professional qualifications, with step-by-step guidance in plain English and other languages.
• Launch national awareness campaigns for employers and the public to counter misinformation, highlight migrants’ contributions, and promote knowledge of employment rights and equality law.