Cultivating problems for the future: Integration supports for resettled and spontaneous refugees in Ireland

Abstract

Abstract In this article, we look firstly at trends in arrivals of spontaneous refugees and resettled refugees in Ireland and the integration supports available to this group as outlined in national-level policy. We discuss the similarities between spontaneous and resettled refugee groups in Ireland and argue that integration needs in the longer term are similar; both groups of refugees require integration supports tailored to their specific needs. We discuss these needs in this article. We suggest that the current approach to provide only targeted supports to resettled refugees is somewhat paradoxical, in that one group of beneficiaries appears privileged in the provision of integration services and supports over the other group, despite similar needs. This article comes at a time when Ireland has opted-in to the European Union Recast Reception Conditions Directive, which provides asylum seekers the right to work under certain conditions. The article explores the impact of recent policy and legislative reforms on the integration prospects of spontaneous refugees in particular. It also looks to the future and discusses challenges under the current system and the increasing asylum application processing backlog.