KASI Ltd. – Killarney Immigrant Support Group
Submission to Integration Policy
Background –
KASI was set up in 2000 by a group of concerned individuals to provide support to the
first batch of asylum seekers who arrived in Killarney in 2000 as part of the dispersal
programme of the then government. As the works of KASI evolved and developed,
migrant workers and their families start to access KASI’s support and services. KASI
operates a professional, yet homely and welcoming drop-in / resource centre in the
middle of the town in Killarney.
‘To provide practical, moral and social support to asylum seekers, refugees, migrant
workers and their families and other migrants; and to assist in facilitating their
integration to the community’, is KASI’s mission statement.
KASI’s aims and objectives are the following –
 To provide a multi functional space for drop-ins, meetings, coordination, training and
intercultural events
 To plan and implement various activities to include health, education, language
support, health, social and intercultural events
 To provide support to families in direct provisions
 To undertake awareness raising work in the local community on asylum seeker
and general immigration issues
 To liaise with local agencies, through referrals, joints initiatives and enhance
service provisions
 Network with other relevant agencies / service providers, sharing best practice
and contribute to policy development
KASI has become the link between statutory and non statutory agencies, community
groups, the ‘locals’ and the migrant communities. The centre is well used and over the
years, KASI staff and volunteers have developed linkages with different migrant
groupings in Killarney and greater Killarney area.
As part of this submission, KASI consulted with its service users, some migrant groups in
Killarney and volunteers of KASI.
Comments / Suggestions on Integration Strategy –
 Special and specific provision to address the needs and issues of asylum
seekers Below are some of the issues o KASI notes and appreciates that for the last two years, there seems to be a
speedier process in the decision making of the asylum cases and a number of
people receive a positive outcome; however, there are still a large number of
people who have been in the system for more than two years (KASI is aware of
asylum seekers here in Killarney who are waiting on a decision for four plus
years)
o Asylum seekers with children living in one room for more than a year is really not
acceptable
o Lack of childcare provision for children under three years – especially for lone
parents who are already vulnerable
o Restrictions in accessing education opportunities
o Boredom, depressions especially with male asylum seekers who are not allowed
to work
o Weekly allowance of 19.10 for adults and 8.20 for children – KASI advocates an
increase in the next budget
o Closing down of Social Welfare clinics in Killarney and Millstreet
o Drugs prescription charges of 2.50
o The direct provision system of housing asylum seekers – an alternative option
should be explored
 Housing issues and homelessness among migrants should be explored further
o Increase in rent allowance threshold
o Clarity and transparency on Habitual Residence requirements
o In Killarney, there is a big issue in accessing ‘appropriate’ housing
 (English) Language Support – Language is one of the key factors in integrating
into any community. Without language, people will remain segregated and at
worst could be exploited. KASI advocates that there should be a ‘mandatory’
policy requiring all non English speaking migrants to attend and learn English.
KASI advocates that o Intreo under the Dept. of Social Protection should incorporate (English) language
support for migrants who are unemployed to improve their job prospects.
o More resources provided for community groups who are running (English)
language support classes
o Information documents should be written in easy to understand, ‘plain’ English
 Health issues –
o Prescription charge is causing stress to the migrant communities especially those
with children and often prevents them from going to the doctor
 Others –
o Support for spouses of migrant workers who are not entitled to access language
support run by KETB
o Support for migrant women who have never worked in Ireland to access CE
Scheme or TUS. KASI has a number of Bangladeshi women who are keen to
work to get working experience, but not entitled to the schemes
o Support for centres like KASI so it could continue its work with the migrant
communities
o Clear strategies to encourage migrants to engage in civic and political life
o Clear information and fast tracking on recognition of educational qualifications of
migrants
o Resources for sports club so they could further facilitate integration through
sports
o Immigration Bill – further amendments are required to the proposed Immigration
Bill
Conclusion –
KASI is a member of Kerry County Council Integration Strategy and is supporting the
development of the Kerry Migrant Forum. KASI links and works with statutory and non
statutory agencies, other community groups, and migrant communities in advancing the
‘ideals’ of integration for the benefit of all.
KASI has been in the field supporting migrants for the last thirteen years and everyone
involve in KASI feels that there is a need for a serious change in order for integration to
‘actually’ happen. Integration is a two way system, but not unless concrete structures are
in place, the migrant themselves may find it difficult to work within that system.