There is a need for the government to develop a strategic long-term plan for immigrants, particularly in terms of housing, and they need to implement it quickly.”In Dublin’s north inner city, about 30 young African men are gathered in a makeshift pool hall. “Many of these people have third-level skills which we sorely need. We appeal to the government to let them work,” its report stated.However after a long history of exporting its own people through economic necessity, Ireland’s reputation as tolerant and welcoming appears to be wearing thin. While most people have benefited from the “Celtic Tiger” economy, there is a sizeable urban underclass. Competition for local authority housing and benefits is fierce, and the arrival of thousands of refugees has provoked tension.Police in the capital are investigating a rare case under the Incitement to Hatred Act, after staff at a refugee drop-in centre received death threats. A message left on its answering machine said: “We’re going to burn that building down and every nigger in it.”"There is racism in Ireland, yes,” Sara McNeice, legal affairs officer with the Irish Refugee Council, said yesterday “We’ve had reports of people being attacked. Outside, hundreds of refugees continued to wait, occasionally chanting “justice”.Government promises this week to speed up the application process were met with scepticism by refugee groups and opposition leaders.A prominent backbench member of the ruling Fianna Fail party inflamed the issue when he suggested that Ireland had become a “soft target” for illegal immigrants.

Ivor Callely told parliament that if people are known to be abusing the system, “we must be tough and throw them out”.In inner city areas of Dublin, where immigrants cluster in shoddy rented accommodation or rundown bed and breakfasts, there are other problems. In 1992, 39 people sought asylum in Ireland.
Seven years later, that figure has climbed to more than 8,000, seven of whom have been granted legal status this year.The Dublin centre which processes refugee applications was closed temporarily earlier this month after staff expressed fears that the number of applicants was too great to handle safely. This week, as asylum-seekers queued outside the home affairs department, a government minister described its policy on refugees as a “shambles”. The Republic is one of the last countries in Europe to adapt to multiculturalism and human rights organisations have been quick to point out that it is “woefully unprepared”. The answer is to give decision-making powers to the schools.”.

THE IRISH government moved quickly this week to counter claims of racism over its treatment of thousands of refugees. After enduring centuries of discrimination, the Irish are being accused of widespread, institutionalised racial intolerance towards the unprecedented numbers of foreigners hoping to take advantage of the island’s booming economy. We believe there is much good practice to be built on, and that the children and young people of Islington can achieve standards comparable with any in the country.” The company will share management of the council’s education services from January.Estelle Morris, the Schools minister, said: “The inspection and intervention process has played a vital role in addressing longstanding problems with local education authorities.”The department and Islington are determined that this will mark a new beginning for the borough and raise expectations about the future of education locally.” Ms Morris has said she expects services to be privatised in up to 15 more local education authorities.Theresa May, Tory education spokeswoman, said: “This contract is not the answer. The council’s schools have been under public scrutiny since Tony Blair decided not to send his children to school there.Brian Oakley-Smith, managing director of the Cambridge firm, said: “Our aim will be to work in partnership with Islington LEA staff, schools, parents and the community to help them to achieve the challenging standards they have set themselves.