Indicators in this domain assess the extent to which migrants have the same status as citizens in terms of access to basic social services such as health, education, and social security. It also describes the rights of migrants to family reunification, to work, and to residency and citizenship. The ratification of the main international conventions is also included within this domain.
Indicators in this category look at the extent to which migrants have access to certain social services such as health, education and social security. They also examine measures to ensure integration and access to work.
Indicators in this domain assess countries’ institutional, legal, and regulatory frameworks related to migration policies. Domain 2 also reviews the existence of national migration strategies that are in-line with development, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in relation to migration management. This domain also investigates the extent to which governments collect and use migration data.
Indicators in this category assess the institutional frameworks of cities for migration. This area also examines the existence of migration strategies consistent with development objectives, as well as institutional transparency and coherence in migration management.
This domain focuses on countries’ efforts to cooperate on migration-related issues with other states and with relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector. Cooperation can lead to improvements in governance by aligning and raising standards, increasing dialogue and providing structures to overcome challenges.
Indicators in this category focus on cities’ efforts to cooperate on migration issues with the national government as well as other cities and relevant non-governmental actors, including civil society organizations and the private sector.
This domain includes indicators on countries’ policies for managing the socioeconomic well-being of migrants, through aspects such as the recognition of migrants’ educational and professional qualifications, provisions regulating student migration and the existence of bilateral labour agreements between countries. Indicators equally focus on policies and strategies related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances.
Indicators in this category assess cities’ initiatives in terms of international student mobility, access to the labour market and decent working conditions for migrant workers. Aspects related to diaspora engagement and migrant remittances are also included in this domain.
This domain studies the type and level of preparedness of countries when they are faced with mobility dimensions of crises, linked to either disasters, the environment and/or conflict. The questions are used to identify the processes in place for nationals and non-nationals both during and after disasters, including whether humanitarian assistance is equally available to migrants as it is to citizens.
Indicators in this category examine the type and level of readiness of cities to deal with aspects of mobility crises. The questions focus on the processes in place for citizens and non-citizens both during and after disasters, especially if humanitarian assistance is available for migrants and citizens.
This domain analyses countries’ approach to migration management in terms of border control and enforcement policies, admission criteria for migrants, preparedness and resilience in the case of significant and unexpected migration flows, as well as the fight against trafficking in human beings and smuggling of migrants. It also assesses efforts and incentives to help integrate returning citizens.
Indicators in this category look at the cities’ approaches to migrant safety as well as return and reintegration policies and the fight against trafficking in persons.
This country Profile describes examples of well-developed areas of Ireland migration governance structures and areas with potential for further development, as evaluated through the six domains of the Migration Governance Indicators (MGI). These address migrants’ rights, a “whole-of-government” approach, partnerships, socioeconomic well-being of migrants, the mobility dimensions of crises, and safe and orderly migration.
Click the icons on the wheel to explore the key findings.
The Migration Governance Indicators (MGI) initiative is a policy-benchmarking programme led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and implemented with research and analysis from the Economist Intelligence Unit. Funding is provided by IOM Member States.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Regular migrants have equal access to health services as nationals.
- Ireland has bilateral agreements with several countries, including Australia, on the portability of social security entitlements and earned benefits.
- Foreign residents can apply for a long-term residence permit after legally residing in Ireland for a minimum of five years.
Areas with potential for further development
- Only European Economic Area nationals benefit from equal access to private-sector employment as nationals.
- Irish citizens living abroad do not have the right to vote in national elections unless they are on official military or diplomatic duty abroad.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Department of Justice provides a clear and transparent set of rules and regulations about migration.
- The Department of Foreign Affairs engages with the diaspora to help maintain their connections to Ireland and to harness their contributions to economic development.
- The Central Statistics Office in Ireland regularly collects and publishes data on migration.
Areas with potential for further development
- Ireland does not have an inter-ministerial coordination mechanism on migration issues.
- Ireland only makes ad hoc efforts to enhance vertical policy coherence on migration.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Ireland is a Member State of the Prague Process and the European Union–Horn of Africa Migration Route Initiative, among others.
- Ireland has a memorandum of understanding with the United Kingdom on free movement and residence of Irish and British Citizens.
Areas with potential for further development
- Ireland does not formally engage the private sector in agenda setting for migration-related issues.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment assesses and monitors labour market demand for immigrants.
- Ireland has a Critical Skills Employment Permit designed to attract highly skilled migrants
- Ireland has a scheme allowing international students to work in the country after graduation.
Areas with potential for further development
- Ireland has limited measures to protect the rights of migrant workers and these do not promote ethical recruitment of workers.
- There are no programmes in place to promote the financial inclusion of migrants and their families.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- The Framework for Major Emergency Management includes specific provisions for preventing and addressing the displacement impacts of disasters.
- Ireland has measures in place to assist nationals living abroad in times of crisis.
Areas with potential for further development
- Ireland does not have a strategy with specific measures to assist migrants before, during or post-crisis.
- Ireland has measures in place to make exceptions to immigration procedures only for refugees and protection applicants.
Migration Governance: examples of well-developed areas
- Ireland’s Border Management Unit officers receive regular training, including on cultural sensitivity.
- The Department of Justice regularly publishes information about its counter-trafficking activities.
- Ireland has policies and procedures in place to identify migrants in vulnerable situations and provide them with referral and protection services.
Areas with potential for further development
- Ireland does not have a system to monitor visa overstays.
- There are no formal cooperation agreements are in place with other countries to trace and identify missing migrants within the national territory.
