Dublin – The International Organization for Migration (IOM) office in Ireland today (21-04) released its Country Strategy for 2021-2024, coinciding with the 20th anniversary of the establishment of its office in Dublin in 2001.

The profile of migrants arriving in Ireland over the past 20 years has become more diverse. Traditionally a country of emigration, as of April 2020 there were an estimated 644,000 non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland, originating from 200 different countries.

At the same time, the COVID-19 pandemic has major ramifications for migration. The challenges to mobility, inclusion and social cohesion wrought by the pandemic call for new approaches and responses that balance public security and health, while ensuring that migrants are protected.

IOM’s first-ever Strategy in Ireland therefore sets out a vision and path to better assist migrants, enhance support to the Irish Government in achieving effective migration governance, and to collectively meet the new challenges and opportunities which exist in the field of migration today and in the next four years.

“Migration has a central role in the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and has become increasingly critical in the context of COVID-19, which has exacerbated social exclusion and inequalities,” said IOM Ireland Chief of Mission, Lalini Veerassamy.

“The launch of IOM Ireland’s Country Strategy is an opportunity for IOM to support the Government of Ireland to accelerate their progress towards the SDGs and assist with the implementation of the Global Compact on Migration,” she continued.

IOM in Ireland aims to advise and assist the Irish Government with policies and programmes that help to ensure safe, orderly and regular migration. The Organization will also continue to support – through a strengthened implementation process – existing projects such as the Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration (AVRR) programme, counter trafficking, integration, resettlement, relocation, and family reunification programmes.

The Strategy also sets out a strategic vision and goals for IOM in Ireland to strengthen existing collaboration with the mission’s key national partner in Ireland, Department of Justice, whilst exploring new partnerships with other Government departments, think tanks, the private sector, academia and non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

“Over the next three years, we will develop a fully digital, customer-centric immigration service and restructure our immigration services to better serve our customers and our country. I look forward to our continued engagement with IOM Ireland and their support to help us to realise these ambitious targets,” said Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee.

IOM in Ireland has committed to developing a collaborative approach with the Department of Foreign Affairs in supporting and contributing to Ireland’s international development priorities.

The Country Strategy is aligned with IOM’s Strategic Vision, adopted by IOM Member States in 2019 and the corresponding EEA, Switzerland and the UK Regional Strategy for 2020 – 2024. The Strategy is grounded in the Strategic Vision’s three pillars: Resilience, Mobility and Governance. The Vision articulates IOM’s commitment towards the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the objectives of the Global Compact for Safe, Regular and Orderly Migration (GCM).

Download the Country Strategy here.

For more information please contact Deborah Miranda at IOM Ireland, Tel: +353 83 424 1532  , Email: dmiranda@iom.int