Ireland's Economy Threatened by Regressive Migration Policies, Says Immigrant Council

Ireland's economy faces future suffering due to «increasingly regressive migration policies», according to the Immigrant Council of Ireland (ICI). The ICI stated that migration is essential for sustaining economic growth and addressing labor shortages.

ICI chief executive Teresa Buczkowska, speaking at the seventh annual National Migrant Inclusion Conference, criticized the Government's excessive focus on refugees, who constitute only 5% of migrants, and deportations. Central Statistics Office data from May shows migrant workers accounted for 61.4% of employment growth between 2019 and 2024, with non-Irish nationals making up 27.5% of total employees in 2024.

The ICI highlighted that the waiting list for Irish Residence Permit cards has grown to 16 weeks, despite migrants being unable to apply for renewal until 12 weeks before expiry, making employers hesitant to retain them. Buczkowska cited Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan's proposal to toughen family reunification laws as an example of a «severe approach» penalizing migrants, causing trauma due to prolonged family separation.

Buczkowska argued that millions are spent on removals instead of supporting migrants with work permits who struggle to find housing. President Catherine Connolly, in her keynote speech, acknowledged migrants' «vital contribution» to healthcare, education, construction, and hospitality, stating Ireland «couldn’t have a functioning culture without your work» and emphasizing the importance of the Government's racism strategy.