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JRS Ireland Political Developments During 2007, the number of asylum applications fell by just over 6.5%, to total 3,985 for the year, in contrast to 4,314 in 2006. Provisional figures in 2006 indicate there was a significant increase in the number of people detained under immigration provisions: 1,196 in 2006 compared to 860 in 2005. The average duration of detention also increased, with 59 people detained for longer than 50 days in 2006 compared with 19 in 2005. Up to the end of December 2007, 134 deportations had been carried out, (although 417 deportation orders had been signed in the period) and there were 416 voluntary repatriations. The draft ‘Immigration, Residence and Protection Bill 2007’ was published in January 2007. The draft Bill set out comprehensive statutory procedures for the various stages of the asylum and immigration processes. The Bill was not passed before the dissolution of parliament prior to the General Election held in May 2007. However, it is expected that the draft legislation will be re-introduced during 2008. In recognition of the opportunities and challenges presented by large-scale inward migration to Ireland, the Government created the new post of Minister of State with special responsibility for Integration Policy and Mr Conor Lenihan TD was appointed to this post.

JRS Activities During 2007, JRS Ireland was formally established as a Revenue-approved charitable trust. Its Strategic Plan 2007–09 sets out the aims of developing services and activities in the areas of integration, detention, language support, advocacy and support for the international work of the Jesuit Refugee Service. Detention JRS Ireland continued its weekly outreach and psychosocial support service to women detained under immigration provisions in the Dochas Centre (the women’s prison in Dublin). In May 2007, JRS Ireland and the Mercy Refugee Network jointly organised a training course for detention visitors in Ireland. A representative from AVID - The Association of Visitors to Immigration Detainees - facilitated the course, which was attended by 25 people. Advocacy JRS Ireland participated as a local partner organisation on a European Parliament commissioned research project into ‘the conditions in centres for third country nationals (detention centres, open centres and transit zones), with a particular focus on provisions and facilities for persons with special needs in the 25 EU Member States’. Integration The work of JRS Ireland in relation to integration was conducted mainly through Community Links, an integration project in Dublin inner city. The focus of the services and activities of Community Links is on the areas of employment (Capacity Building Programme), education (School Integration Programme), and cultural exchange (Intercultural Events). Under the Capacity Building Programme, training courses provided during 2007 aimed to support long-term unemployed refugees to access employment. Courses were provided in Job Seeking Skills, Intercultural Communication, Interview Skills, CV Preparation and Personal Development Courses. The School Integration Programme was strengthened significantly during 2007 with the employment of a fulltime project worker. Under the Programme, activities and resources designed to assist parents and teachers of refugee and migrant children were developed. Community Links worked with 33 primary schools and 12 secondary schools during the year. The School Resource Folder developed in 2006 was widely distributed during 2007. There was very favourable feedback on the Resource Folder from teachers. The first of a series of information seminars for teachers entitled ‘Immigration, Rights and Entitlements’ was held in November 2007 and was attended by 30 people. The programme of Intercultural Events organised during the year aimed to lessen the isolation of refugee and migrant families. Events under the Programme included an open forum held on International Women’s Day and a World Refugee Day Open Forum. The outings and sports activities organised under the 2007 Summer Programme were very well attended by both migrant and local families. JRS Ireland continued to expand its language support services with peer tutoring projects in Belvedere College and Hatch Hall in Dublin city and in Mulhuddart, Co. Dublin. Awareness Raising JRS Ireland began the development of a booklet for migrant parents on the Irish education system; this will be published in 2008. The Interfaith and Intercultural Calendar 2008 was finalised; following on from the success of the 2007 edition, the new calendar will be widely distributed. Work on a new website for JRS Ireland (www.jrs.ie) was completed in December for launch in early January 2008. Contact Details

Mr Eugene Quinn, Country Director Jesuit Centre for Faith & Justice 26 Upper Sherrard Street Dublin 1 Ireland Tel: +353 1 855 6814 - Fax: +353 1 836 4377 ireland(a)jrs.net

Commmunity Links Integration Project 12 -13 Gardiner Place, Ground Floor Dublin 1 Ireland Tel: +353 1 814 8644 - Fax: +353 1 873 4680

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