Mercy Global Concern - 2006

Mercy Global Concern: Report Number 1, May 2006

Changing face of Ireland

After 1916 Yeats wrote that Ireland had
“changed, changed utterly, a terrible beauty is born”.
Ninety years later changes that Yeats could never have dreamed of, are taking place.

This years Census forms were translated into 11 foreign languages and for the first time asked people about their ethnic or cultural background.
Officials at the Central Statistics Office expect that the results will show that up to 10 per cent, or 400,000 people, are foreign nationals. This figure is similar to countries with a long history of immigration, such as US and Britain. Statisticians also say that the overall population may reach 4.2 Million, the highest level in 135 years.

Until this census, there has been a lack of data collection on ethnicity. There has been significant broadening of cultural and ethnic diversity in Ireland in recent years, both in terms in numbers of people and their national and ethnic origin and this has significantly added to our diversity.

There have been dramatic changes in inward migration into Ireland since the EU expanded in May 2004. The 2002 census identified five main regions of origins for migrants living in Ireland:

Now in 2006 inward migration from the new EU States can only be described as astonishing. 150,000 Personal Public Service Number (PPSN) have been issued to EU nationals in the period between May 2004 and December 2005.

There is no sign of inward migration slowing down, with an average of 11,000 PPSN issued monthly in 2005, compared with an average of 7000 in 2004.

Four countries account for most of the immigrants:

People born outside of Ireland now account for 8% of the total Irish labour force, on e of the highest percentages in the European Union. In addition 40,000 new jobs are expected to be created in 2006. Economists acknowledge that migrant workers are essential to sustain growth in Ireland .

In a comparative context, Ireland 's current demographic change is unique in Europe . Projections suggest that Ireland 's population could reach 5 million in 2030. The present population in Ireland is just over 4 million and the number of foreign- born people could exceed 1 million in 2030. This would equate to about 18% of the population in 2030.

These projections have significant implications for policy makers and service provision in Ireland . This “Changing Face of Ireland” is now a reality. Are we prepared to be a vibrant part of the new “beauty being born?”

We are challenged to support in concrete ways the campaigns such as Integrate Ireland and the Anti-Racism Campaign, in order to develop this diversity that is now ours!