NATIONAL STATUSES GRANTED FOR PROTECTION REASONS IN IRELAND. Equality ESRI RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 96 January 2020

This study examines the national statuses that may be granted for protection reasons in Ireland. The report focuses on national statuses with a sole basis in Irish domestic law and policy and does not examine in detail EU-harmonised statuses. The national statuses discussed in this report are diverse in terms of their policy objectives, legal basis, procedure and content. However, it provides an overview of the potential means of regularising the status of those with a protection need that is not EU-harmonised. The study covers statuses that were granted in Ireland between 2010 and 2018 and includes any statuses that were introduced and subsequently ceased during the study period

TRENDS IN MIGRATION TO IRELAND OF NATIONALS OF COUNTRIES WITH VISA LIBERALISATION AGREEMENTS WITH THE EUROPEAN UNION. ESRI SURVEY AND STATISTICAL REPORT SERIES, August 2019

The synthesis report presents an analysis of the impact in terms of direct and indirect benefits, as well as challenges. Tourism is considered a direct benefit, as tourism is one of the purposes of a short-stay visa. There was a rise in tourists from the visa-free countries after visa liberalisation across the EU Member States, although the numbers were modest in the context of overall tourism numbers to the EU. Residence permits for work or study reasons were considered an indirect benefit – as these are not purposes of stay for a short-stay Schengen visa, though a short stay could ultimately influence a longer stay for one of these reasons. The synthesised findings show that the number of residence permits issued to nationals of the visa-free countries more than doubled since 2008, and most of these were issued for employment reasons. Therefore, the report suggests that visa liberalisation could be a facilitator to labour market access. However, a similar link was not found for student migration or for entrepreneurship (EMN, 2019)

NATIONAL STATUSES GRANTED FOR PROTECTION REASONS IN IRELAND. ESRI RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 96 January 2020

This study examines the national statuses that may be granted for protection reasons in Ireland. The report focuses on national statuses with a sole basis in Irish domestic law and policy and does not examine in detail EU-harmonised statuses. The national statuses discussed in this report are diverse in terms of their policy objectives, legal basis, procedure and content. However, it provides an overview of the potential means of regularising the status of those with a protection need that is not EU-harmonised. The study covers statuses that were granted in Ireland between 2010 and 2018 and includes any statuses that were introduced and subsequently ceased during the study period. The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (1951 Refugee Convention) and the 1967 Protocol relating to the Status of Refugees together form the cornerstone of international protection for persons who have been forced to flee their country due to persecution. The 1951 Refugee Convention sets out the definition of a refugee and the standards of protection to which persons recognised as a refugee are entitled. In the EU context, the EU Qualification Directive seeks to harmonise the status granted to persons seeking protection across the EU and ensure a minimum level of rights afforded to persons recognised as refugees or subsidiary protection beneficiaries. Nevertheless, a wide variety of non-harmonised statuses or national statuses granted to non-EU nationals for protection reasons are in place at national level across EU Member States (EMN, 2010). In Ireland, the International Protection Act 2015 (the 2015 Act) gives effect to Ireland’s obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention and incorporates EU-harmonised provisions governing international protection contained in the 2004 Qualification Directive. The 2015 Act provides that a successful international protection applicant may be granted refugee status or subsidiary protection. In addition to the two core international protection statuses, Irish law sets out a number of national statuses for persons with a protection need

Ethnicity and Nationality in the Irish Labour Market. ESRI Research Series, 2018

This report presents a more in-depth analysis of discrimination in the labour market to ascertain if certain ethnic groups experience higher rates of work related discrimination than others. Using data from the Equality module of the Quarterly National Household Survey and the Labour Force Survey, this report examines if labour market outcomes differed across ethnic groups between 2002 to 2014. It also examines the likelihood of being employed rather than unemployed for different ethnicities, and the grades of employment secured

ATTRACTING AND RETAINING INTERNATIONAL HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS: IRELAND. ESRI RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 88 MAY 2019

International student mobility has grown significantly worldwide over the past two decades, increasing from two million to five million between 1999 and 2016 (OECD, 2018). The EU is one of the main destinations for international students, with 1.6 million international students enrolled in the EU in 2016 (OECD, 2018). The importance of attracting international students was most recently highlighted in EU Directive 2016/801 on the conditions of entry and residence of third-country nationals for the purpose of research, studies, training, voluntary service, pupil exchange schemes or educational projects and au pairing.1 While Ireland has not opted into the Directive, the publication of two international education strategies since 2010 and reform of the non-EEA student immigration framework reflect the importance now being attached to promoting the higher education of non-EEA students in Ireland. Immigration of non-EEA nationals for the purposes of higher education in Ireland grew by 45 per cent between 2013, when 9,325 first residence permits were issued to students, and 2017, when 13,519 such permits were issued.2 This study examines policy, law and practice in Ireland relating to non-EEA students undertaking a full-time course of study leading to a higher education qualification in public and private third-level institutions. The study focuses on recent developments in policy on the internationalisation of higher education and changes to the student immigration framework that took place between 2012 and 2018. In particular, it looks at measures to attract non-EEA students to Ireland and retain those students following the completion of their studies.3 Non-EEA nationals enrolled in English language and further education programmes are outside the scope of this study

APPROACHES TO UNACCOMPANIED MINORS FOLLOWING STATUS DETERMINATION IN IRELAND. ESRI RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 83 DECEMBER 2018

An estimated 45,500 unaccompanied minors – children below the age of 18 who are not in the care of, or accompanied by, a responsible adult – lodged asylum applications globally in 2017,1 representing a 33 per cent increase since 2014 (34,300) (UNHCR, 2018). In 2017, over 650,000 people lodged an application for international protection in the European Union (EU) (Eurostat, 2018a), 31,395 of whom were unaccompanied minors (Eurostat, 2018b), constituting more than a 30 per cent increase since 2014. The number of unaccompanied minors recorded in Ireland is low compared to other EU Member States. However, consistent with EU and international trends, this number has increased since 2014. In 2017, 175 unaccompanied minors were referred to the Social Work Team for Separated Children Seeking Asylum (Dublin) (SWTSCSA) of the Child and Family Agency, Tusla (Tusla), which is responsible for the care of unaccompanied minors in Ireland, up from 97 in 2014 (Tusla, 2018d, 2018e). Much comparative information and research exists on the practices in Ireland and in EU Member States concerning unaccompanied minors seeking international protection. There is less research and up-to-date information on the practices and integration measures in place for unaccompanied minors who have received an international protection or immigration status decision. This study examines the policies and practices on unaccompanied minors following an international protection or immigration status decision in Ireland. Principally, it looks at two potential outcomes for unaccompanied minors in Ireland: a positive decision for immigration permission or international protection and subsequent integration in-country and forced or voluntary return. The study also looks at implications arising from a lack of status

Pathways to citizenship through naturalisation in Ireland. ESRI Research Series 116 December 2020.

New ESRI/European Migration Network research finds that Ireland has more favourable conditions for acquiring citizenship by naturalisation than many EU Member States. However, processing delays and lack of clarity on some eligibility conditions have been highlighted by NGOs and in parliamentary debate. There are three main “pathways” to Irish citizenship: at birth by descent, by birth on the island of Ireland, and naturalisation. This study is part of EU-wide research on naturalisation, which is the main way by which migrants may access citizenship and its associated rights

POLICY AND PRACTICE TARGETING THE LABOUR MARKET INTEGRATION OF NON-EU NATIONALS IN IRELAND. ESRI RESEARCH SERIES NUMBER 89 JUNE 2019

Increases in immigration inflows to both the European Union (EU) and Ireland between 2014 and 2016, due in part to the ‘refugee and migrant crisis’, have resulted in an increased focus on integration policies, outcomes and measures, including in the area of labour market integration. Employment is crucial for the integration of migrants into the economic and social life of their host country, so labour market integration is a very important part of integration policy (European Commission, 2016). In recent years, many Member States have updated existing labour market integration policies or have developed new ones. Ireland, like the majority of EU Member States (EMN, 2019), pursues a policy of mainstreaming service provision in the area of integration, with targeted initiatives to meet specific needs. This study first considers labour migration policy, which manages and shapes overall access of non-European Economic Area (EEA) nationals to the Irish labour market.1 Under the employment permits system administered by the Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation (DBEI), non-EEA nationals may apply to access the Irish labour market. The report then looks at specific policies and measures which aim to improve labour market integration for non-EU nationals living in Ireland. The focus is on labour integration measures for regularly staying non-EU nationals with a right to work. Measures specifically targeting non-EEA students, graduates, asylum seekers and beneficiaries of international protection are beyond the study scope. The effect of general labour market and social policy provision in Ireland on labour market integration is also outside the scope. Examples of public and private sector practices are discussed together with examples of community sector practices that receive public funds

Supporting integration? International practices on civics and language requirements linked to naturalisation: policy implications for Ireland. ESRI Report September 2020.

Ireland’s Migrant Integration Strategy 2017-2020 states that the introduction of both civics and language tests for those seeking citizenship in Ireland will be examined. This research aims to contribute by investigating requirements linked to naturalisation in Europe. Drawing on a wide range of sources, including a related European Migration Network study, a mapping exercise was undertaken across 27 EU Member States and the UK. Case studies on Belgium, Finland, Portugal and the UK, as well as on three English-speaking countries outside of Europe, were compiled. The research finds that 24 Member States plus the UK require naturalisation applicants to show language proficiency. National practices and the level of competence required varies widely. 18 Member States plus the UK require applicants to show civic knowledge or proof of integration, again with much diversity in practices found. Among its findings, the report highlights that no one-size-fits-all, but that each individual country-level approach to citizenship requirements must be seen as part of the wider citizenship and migration policy context. Consideration should be given to a wide range of complex issues before the introduction of such requirements, if at all, such as the format they may take and supports provided, for example for language learning. Also, that requirements should take account of the needs of vulnerable groups, such as those with low levels of literacy and people with disabilities. No comprehensive information is available on the cost of implementing such requirements. Evaluations of requirements were not found, therefore it is difficult to reach conclusions about the long-term effects of language and civic integration requirements linked to citizenship. Research does suggest that if the goal is to promote the societal integration of migrants, requirements should focus on learning opportunities such as courses, rather than on exams. Ex-ante analysis and ongoing evaluation are also essential and need to take into account diverse voices (employers, educators, the wider public and the migrant community)

Engagement of international students at Irish higher education institutions

Existing research paints a mixed picture of how international students fare academically following a transition to a host higher education institution. Most studies that have examined differences between domestic and international students’ engagement treated international students as a homogenous group. Less evidence is available on the experiences of international students from different regional groups. Drawing on Irish Student Engagement Survey data, this article explores the extent to which international students’ engagement differs from that of their Irish peers, and whether there are differences across regions of origin. The findings indicate that while international students are highly engaged compared to their Irish counterparts, regional differences persist when the data were disaggregated. The paper is of potential interest to policymakers and higher education institutions, offering insights into how the provision of services and supports to international students could be better targeted