MINISTERIAL COUNCIL ON INTEGRATION.
Minister Mary White T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Integration and
Human Rights today announced that she has commenced the process to
establish a Ministerial Council on Integration. The Minister explained
that expressions of interest from migrants are now being sought for
appointment to the Council and the closing date is 7th July.
Minister White said " I plan to set up four regional forums so that I can
engage directly with migrants and listen to their issues, hopes and
challenges. I place great emphasis on the importance of civil society
engagement and I want to work closely with our immigrant communities to
ensure effective integration."
The Minister continued "This Council is open to individual migrants so
you don't have to be a member of a NGO or a group to apply. I want to
reach out to migrants and hear the experiences and views of people who
come from a broad spectrum of cultural and religious backgrounds and
countries of origin."
Council meetings will be chaired by the Minister and will normally be
held two to three times a year in each of the four regions i.e. in
Dublin, Rest of Leinster, Munster and Connacht/Ulster. Each regional
forum will be composed of 15 to 20 members and members will attend
meetings in the region in which they reside. The Minister explained "I
believe that by setting up the Council in a regional formation, it will
ensure that the experiences of integration at a local level will be
reflected and considered."
Expressions of interest for appointment to the Ministerial Council are
now being sought from persons from the migrant community who are legally
resident in Ireland for two or more years, or who have acquired Irish
citizenship. Applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection will not be
eligible to apply. Intending applicants should forward a Curriculum Vitae
(stating country of origin also) and a covering letter outlining their
background and the reasons they consider themselves suitable for
appointment to the Ministerial Council to the Office of the Minister for
Integration.
Minister White commented "As the Minister responsible for integration
issues, I look forward to working closely with members of our immigrant
communities and I would encourage migrants to apply for appointment to
the Council. It is an opportunity for individuals to have a voice in
relation to their integration experiences and to help shape a better and
more cohesive Ireland. I would particularly urge women from the immigrant
communities to apply as I would like the Council to have a gender
balance."
ENDS
Background Information for Editors
Minister Mary White T.D., Minister of State for Equality, Integration and
Human Rights will establish a Ministerial Council on Integration to
advise her directly on issues faced by migrants.
The Minister will chair meetings of the Council. The Council will meet in
regional formation. Each regional forum will be composed of 15 to 20
members who reside in the region. The members will be migrants who will
be appointed for a period of five years. In appointing members, the
Minister will take account, as far as possible, of factors such as the
need to have a balance between countries of origin, places of residence
in Ireland and the desirability of having an appropriate gender balance.
Council meetings will be convened by the Minister and will normally be
held two to three times a year in each region. The four regions will be
as follows:
· Dublin
· Rest of Leinster
· Munster and
· Connacht/Ulster.
Members of the Council will attend meetings in the region in which they
reside. Meetings will be held in private. However, a press statement
giving details of the matters discussed will be issued after each Council
meeting. Travel and subsistence will be paid with regard to attendance at
Council meetings in line with the appropriate Civil Service rates.
Who can apply to be appointed?
Expressions of interest for appointment to the Ministerial Council are
now being sought from persons from the migrant community who are legally
resident in Ireland for two or more years, or who have acquired Irish
citizenship. Applicants for asylum or subsidiary protection will not be
eligible to apply. Intending applicants should forward a Curriculum Vitae
(stating country of origin also) and a covering letter outlining their
background and the reasons they consider themselves suitable for
appointment to the Ministerial Council, by post to :
The Office of the Minister for Integration
Dún Aimhirgin
43-49 Mespil Road
Dublin 4
or by email to info@integration.ie to arrive no later than 7th July 2010.
Please mark the envelope or email 'Ministerial Council on Integration'.
Please note that interviews may be held. Short listing may apply.
(See attached file: ad for ministerial council FINAL VERSION.doc)
Regards
Anne Bevan
Office of the Minister of State for Integration
43-49 Mespil Road
Dublin 4
01 647 3082
www.integration.ie
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