Historically, Ireland has been known as a welcoming destination for immigrants, and discussions about immigration have often been absent from the list of major topics. However, according to a global poll by Ipsos, attitudes are shifting. Ireland is now one of the countries where people are more concerned about immigration issues, as proven by the continuous immigration protests in Dublin. A recent Irish Time/ Ipsos B&A poll results series was published on February 10th, 2024, providing an overall impression of immigration issues.
The survey occurred from February 2nd to 6th across 120 locations covering all 39 constituencies. All eligible individuals are at least 18 and were being interviewed in their homes. We have obtained some information from the published outcome and presented below. If you wish to have a more comprehensive and detailed result, please click here.
Analysis of the poll results reveals that the majority (48%) of the respondents view the immigration situation in Ireland favorably, suggesting a common perception that immigrants have positively contributed to the country. This also expresses the idea that the respondents are majorly not against immigration.
Nevertheless, despite the positive opinion towards the impact of immigrants, approximately 60% of the respondents still wish to have a closer policy to restrict the number of immigrants entering Ireland, and only 16% of them prefer a more open policy. The statistics shown above are categorized based on age group, gender, and residence area in the complete analysis. Still, not a single subcategory favors a more open policy for individuals who wish to enter Ireland—indicating a pessimistic impression of getting more individuals into the country.
Furthermore, considering the intersection of these findings with the political landscape. It may appear that immigration issues will become a prominent theme in upcoming political messaging and manifestos. Although only 30% of the respondents indicated a likelihood of voting for candidates prioritizing such matters, it remains a substantive portion of the electorate that candidates must pay attention to. This prompts international individuals to question whether there will be increased restrictions and procedural complexities when applying for work and residency permits to remain in the country. Still, it is yet to be confirmed by the authorities whether any further actions will be taken toward such matters in the future.
Immigration issues pose a complex challenge that demands thorough analysis and a carefully considered response. Future Direct is one of the leading immigration consultancy firms providing immigration services to corporates and individual clients in Ireland. Should you require us to make the application on your behalf or have any questions, call us today at +353 872400433 or email info@futuredirect.ie. We are happy to answer your questions.