IRELAND SLIPS IN RANKINGS AS INTEGRATION POLICIES STAGNATE POST-2017 STRATEGY

New MIPEX 2024 results show setbacks for migrant inclusion in Ireland

Ireland’s once-promising trajectory on migrant integration has reversed, according to the newly released Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) 2024. The country’s score has dropped by 5 points compared to previous years, reflecting the absence of a new national integration strategy following the expiry of the 2017 Migrant Integration Strategy.

The MIPEX report, an evaluation of integration policies in Ireland during the period 2020-2024 led by the Migrant Policy Group (MPG), highlights growing challenges for migrants in Ireland. These are especially notable in areas such as family reunification, education, and political participation – all of which have seen weakened policy support or increasing barriers since 2020. While Ireland still ranks relatively high on anti-discrimination, it is still one of the areas that lacks an inclusive policy framework.

At a time when other countries have made progress, Ireland’s stagnation calls into question the long-term commitment to migrant integration. Once ranked among the MIPEX ‘Top Ten’ countries, Ireland’s current approach is now classified as only halfway favourable to integration.

The report was launched at last week’s National Integration Conference, during which the Immigrant Council’s CEO Teresa Buczkowska called for an update to the Migrant Integration Strategy and for further investment in programmes to support migrants.

Commenting on the MIPEX report, Teresa Buczkowska said: “Ireland’s move backwards on migrant integration should serve as a wake-up call to the government that we must renew our focus on a national integration strategy. While there are policy areas that work well such as health, the MIPEX report has highlighted the lack of progress in the essential, but already flailing, area of labour mobility. The report also noted a sharp decline in inclusive policies on political participation and anti-discrimination. Now is not the time to go backwards but to move forwards on making Ireland a place where migrants feel secure for their future and are able to integrate to the benefit of all people in Ireland.”

Key findings from the MIPEX 2024 Ireland report include:

• No positive policy changes recorded since the last edition.
• New obstacles for migrants seeking family reunification, including accommodation requirements.
• Reduced access to education guidance in languages other than English and Irish.
• Lack of permanent national consultation structures for migrant communities.
• Administrative hurdles continue to limit long-term security for non-EU migrants.
• Gaps in hate crime legislation and legal aid access remain significant issues.

The 6th edition of the Migrant Integration Policy Index (MIPEX) is led by the Migration Policy Group (MPG) and covers the period 2020–2024. MIPEX is a unique tool that evaluates integration policies across 52 countries. It measures migrants’ access to opportunities in eight key areas: labour market mobility, education, family reunion, political participation, permanent residence, access to nationality, anti-discrimination, and health.

MIPEX data is widely used by national and international stakeholders to inform fair and effective policies, and has been cited in more than 4,600 academic and policy documents worldwide.