AN INNOVATIVE migrant political integration scheme that sees migrants placed with TDs for a six month internship is underway in Leinster House.
The Opening Power to Diversity scheme, which was first piloted in January, has been given the green light by the Oireachtas for a second round of placements.
The EU-funded scheme, which has been devised by Crosscare Migrant Project, is designed to engender increased integration of migrants in the Irish political system.
“We want people firstly to get a unique first-hand experience of what life for an Irish politician is like,
? said Crosscare Policy Officer, Joe O’Brien.
“We also want people to be inspired and feel that politics is now something that they can get involved in. Our migrants and new Irish citizens have come to Ireland with energy, fresh ideas and different perspectives – these are things that politics in Ireland needs.
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The scheme was granted four places in its pilot phase. This time, six places have been allocated and the new interns are now almost two months into their placement.
Mulhuddart resident Adaku Ezeudo, originally from Nigeria, was one of the four interns participating in the first round of placements. Speaking to Northside People about her six month placement with Fine Gael TD Derek Keating, she said:
“The scheme was the first of its kind so I saw it as a unique opportunity to be part of something special.
“Migrant communities in Ireland are so distant from the political process; the scheme was offering a chance to gain insight and knowledge of the Irish political system so I grabbed hold of it with both hands.
“It was also an opportunity to showcase the migrant community to politicians. I wanted to show them that migrants are talented, educated and capable like anyone else and that we have a lot to offer.
Ghanaian Ekow Agyeman Prempeh of Tyrrelstown is currently in Leinster House working alongside Fianna Fail TD Michael Moynihan for his six month placement.
“I want to deepen my understanding of the art of politics,
? said Ekow.
“Some of the people in Leinster House have been there for many years so for me, it’s a great opportunity to tap into their experiences and to grow leap and bounds in understanding how the system works.
“Would I run for election in future? I would not be surprised. I want to give a voice to a minority who continue to be silenced in Irish politics.
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According to the 2011 census, 12 per cent of the population are now non-Irish. This figure has jumped 143 per cent since 2002.
Despite significant growth in the numbers of non-Irish nationals resident in Ireland, migrants continue to be almost completely unrepresented in the Dáil.
In the 2011 General Election just three of the 564 people who ran for the 166 seats were naturalised Irish citizens.