For news and useful information on INIS, GNIB and other Irish immigration policies, CLICK HERE. Since 2001, MRCI has provided frontline advocacy and information services to migrants in Ireland. We are committed to ensuring free, confidential, accurate and up-to-date information on immigration, employment and access to services. Our Drop-In Centre at 28 North Great George's Street, Dublin 1 is open every Monday, Tuesday & Wednesday from 10am - 1pm & 2pm - 4pm. This service is open to everyone; please call in if you need help. If you can't come to the Centre, our caseworkers provide free and confidential advice by email and phone.
Update on De Facto Relationship Permission to Remain in Ireland
The Irish Immigration and Naturalisation Service have recently introduced an application system for couples wishing to apply for permission to remain in Ireland under de facto relationship scheme. Please find below a link to the application for Immigration Permission for a De Facto Partner:
Re Form EU1A- Application to be treated as a permitted family member of a Union citizen
Than new Form EU1A, along with an explanatory leaflet, is available now on the Irish Naturalisation Service(INIS) website. All applications submitted from Monday 12th June 2017 must be submitted on this form.
The MPP project aims to support and increase migrant political engagement in the run up to the 2016 General Election and deepen political candidates' understanding of migrant rights issues in Ireland.
Some of the issues we know you feel very strongly about: the urgent need for immigration reform and transparent laws, greater protections for vulnerable workers like au pairs, tackling racism and discrimination - especially in housing, applying for a job and the work place - strengthening the voice and representation of people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds in Irish politics, ending direct provision, and regularising undocumented migrants.
Over the next few months we will
Run a voter education drive, producing tools and materials making it easier to vote and have your voice heard in Irish politics.
Carry out communications and political education training with migrant activists and leaders to build their skills & knowledge to lobby and critically engage with the political system.
With migrant leaders and activists, inform and educate political candidates on issues of the day for migrant communities in Ireland, creating a political manifesto and supporting analysis on modern migration in Ireland.
Opening Hours
You can call to the Drop-In Centre (28 North Great George's Street, Dublin 1) in person any time during opening hours: Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, 10am – 1pm and 2pm – 4pm. The Drop-In Centre is closed on Thursdays and Fridays.
National Telephone Service Our telephone information service is available from 10.00am - 4.00pm, Monday - Friday:
01 889 7570. We are closed for lunch from 1pm-2pm every day.
Email
You can also email your query to info@mrci.ie. One of our caseworkers will be in touch as soon as possible.
Appointments We do not make appointments for first-time visitors. Please ensure you come at the start of the morning or the start of the afternoon to increase your likelihood of being seen quickly. If you cannot come in, please email info@mrci.ie.
Outreach
The Resource Centre also provides outreach training and information sessions to a number of organisations that provide information and advocacy support to immigrant communities.
MRCI provides specialist advocacy
Employment permits
Residency matters
Workplace rights
Trafficking for forced labour
Undocumented migrants
Success Stories
Mr Singh
Mr Singh came to Ireland on a work permit to work as chef. He was exploited by his employer and was dismissed after he attempted to assert his rights. As a result, he lost his right to work and became undocumented. MRCI supported Mr.Sing after he decided to make a complaint against his employer, and he managed to regularise his immigration status. Mr.Singh became an Irish citizen in February 2012. He remains actively involved in the campaign for the right of workers to change employers within their job category without having to apply for a new work permit which is costly and involves long delays.
Surinder
Surinder had been working in exploitative employment as a domestic worker for five years. He came to MRCI seeking help and assistance to address the exploitation, and to seek compensation for unfair treatment, and abuses of his employment right. MRCI assisted and supported Surinder in bringing his employment claims before the Labour Relations Commission. Surinder was awarded in excess of €200.000 for the breaches of his employment rights, arguably one of the biggest awards for one person.
Vanda
Vanda is a Ukrainian national who came to Ireland in 2003 on a work permit to work for a security company. The company was not in a position to keep her in the job as her English was too poor to perform her duties. Vanda found a job in a cleaning company as her permit was still valid. The cleaning company did not apply for a work permit for her and made her redundant once her work permit was invalid. Vanda became undocumented as a result. She was undocumented for four years until she heard through a word of mouth, within her own community, about MRCI. An application for a permission to remain was made to the Department of Justice for her, explaining her circumstances. Vanda was given permission to remain and she secured a work permit on that basis with MRCI’s help. She has been documented since and is looking forward to applying for long term residence.
Joining a union strengthens rights and protections for you and all workers. If you're not sure which union represents you, the Irish Congress of Trade Unions can help - just click below!
Make sure you don't miss the next Migrants' Forum! Join our mailing list here or follow us on Facebook for updates.
Migrant Voices
As part of MRCI’s commitment to providing accurate and up-to-date information to migrants, we set up the Migrants' Forum some years ago. The Forum is a place for migrant workers and their families to share their experiences, receive support and information, share and develop our analysis of the issues facing migrant workers in Ireland, and identify solutions to shared issues.
All migrant workers and their family members are welcome to participate in the Migrants Forum. It is a family friendly, informal and diverse space. Information on future Forums, including dates and topics, is available on flyers and posters in the MRCI Drop-In Centre and also on our Facebook page.We are always looking for more people who would like to participate and have their voices heard.
If you would like to know more about the Forum and how to get involved, contact Sancha in MRCI:
“The forum gives me the opportunity to be updated on laws and information that affects me and my family here in Ireland. It also informs me about what is going on in the lives of other migrant workers. In the future I think more migrant workers should involve in organising the forum, this will be very important."
“A good space to come together, get information and share experiences in a less intimidating way. This is very important."
“ As a case worker attending and participating in the Migrants Forum, it is a good way of knowing the different issues facing migrant workers and their families. A very diverse group attends and there are very different issues and things that come up, it’s all there, It is a space for social interaction that is not just only on the surface but about building relationships which is very important."
