The impact of the migration NGO sector on the development of migration policy: Ireland as a case study

2004
Overview Theory Methods Findings Outputs Impact
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Overview

The purpose of the study was to investigate the capacity of NGOs in Ireland to inform and influence future policy development on immigration, asylum, integration and citizenship issues. Ireland has only recently found itself a country of net immigration: an attractive destination for labour migrants, asylum seekers and international students, and subsequently for family reunion. Initially lacking the legislative and administrative framework for managing either migration or integration, successive governments have introduced a raft of policy reforms, but those NGOs working to represent the interests of migrants often perceive themselves as having had only limited influence on policy development.

This research therefore explored opportunities within the Irish political and policy making system for NGOs to influence policy and the type of interventions that could be effective. It focussed on the challenges faced by NGOs in maximising their influence and identified ways in which, collectively and individually, they could exert greater influence in future. The resulting report concludes with recommendations for government, NGOs and organisations funding NGOs in the migration sector.

Principal Investigator

Sarah Spencer

Funding

Atlantic Philanthropies