|
Dear friend:
One concern of the Filipinos in Ireland and leaders of the community during the previous three consultation meetings organised with the Philippine Embassy- UK and Church (CBCP) officials is the lack of information about updates on issues of interest to the Filipinos in general. I hope this simple communication channel will respond to that need by providing up-to-date information on issues of relevance to all Filipinos through participative discussion and exchange of ideas promoting better integration towards achieving an inclusive intercultural society and empowerment of Filipino groups and communities in Ireland. I do appreciate if you can share your suggestions and ideas such as how I can provide better service to you. If you wish to receive regular update and communications. email: filipinosireland@gmail.com
www.freewebs.com/filcomireland Email: filipinosireland@gmail.com 0863556010
|
 NEWS AND UPDATES
21 Sept 2000. DFA Secretary Albert Rumulo plans to open embassy in Dublin, Ireland ...
16 Sept 2007. Department of Labour and Employment - Philippines to put up new labour office in Ireland. Labour and Employment Secretary Arturo D. Brion said the DOLE plans to put up Philippine Overseas Labor Offices (POLOs) in Australia and New Zealand, western Canada, Ireland, and central China..
15 Sept 2007. Advice about new Long Term Residency requirement. Police / NBI (National Bureau Investigation) clearance now a requirement for Long Term Residency application.. Read more the details.
8 Sept 2007. Renewal of permission to remain on the basis of valid work permit. A notice has been posted in the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) offices at Burgh Quay, Dublin regarding renewal of ‘Work Permit Permission’ for people who do not yet have their new work permit, in certain circumstances: Read the procedures and details.
3 Sept 2007. Filipino children face visa red tape. Children of immigrant workers are being given a category of residency stamp insufficient for them to qualify for Irish citizenship and EU-rate college fees, the Philippine Consul John Ferris has warned. Related issue: Read the MRCI's forum about minor dependant of migrant workers...
|
 CONSULAR MATTERS
|
| COMMUNITY EVENTS & UPDATES
 30 Sept 2007. We thank all the 22 people who came to participate in the last and final stage of consultation last 29 September in Bl. Sacrament Hall, D1 to determine which would be the best structure of the Filipino community in Ireland. Representing 9 communities and groups, the participants voted for a 'core group' organisational structure which will be composed of representatives from different groups and associations. This core group, which task is to set direction and to mobilize the Filipino community will have its first meeting and workshop on 3rd of November, Saturday. More than 20 leaders and representatives are expected to attend this workshop, who will come up with vision, goals and common activities. (from convenors Mike Ancheta, Gracia Kibad & Fr. Rene Esoy)
29 Sept 2007. Congratulations to Lot Gernan who is appointed as new volunteer co-ordinator of the MRCI Domestic Workers Support Group (DWSG). Lot, along with the Core Group of the DWSG, will coordinate the activities, campaigns and policy agenda of the DWSG. The Group is now meeting on the second Sunday of every month, from 12 to 3pm in the Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square West Dublin 1. If you are employed in the private home you are welcome to join the group and participate in their activities. (MRCI E-Bulletin)
|
COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES & PROGRAMME
- 18 Oct 2007, Thursday: The Filipino community of Our Lady’s Children Hospital - Crumlin will host a Food Festival at the canteen of the hospital from 11.00 AM - 1.00 PM. All proceeds benefit Gawad Kalinga, a housing project for the poor in the Philippines. Filcom - Crumlin has already raised 500 Euro in which the community would help to sponsor one house. If you want to be part of this noble project, , contact Edsel Manucot - 0862607437.
- 26 Oct 2007, Friday: The Filipino Youth Integration (FYI) service group is organising a Halloween Party for Young Filipinos (aged between 18 -25) at the 36 Teacher's Club Hall, Parnell Square, Dublin 1 from 5 to 11 PM. The activity is not only for fun but an opportunity fro you to integrate and express solidarity with other young people. Come with your best fancy dress and costumes. Fro details, call Jeremy Ramos - 0879633435 or Mike A. - 0879357688.
There is a plan to organise a meeting-session and workshop for couples specifically Filipinos married to Irish. The objective is to understand cultural barriers and differences. The activities encourage interaction and discussion. This programme is yet in its development stage and we need your feedback. If you are interested to be part of this discussion group, please email: Vising Kennedy : visbenavidez@hotmail.com or filipinosireland@gmail.com
|
INTERCULTURAL EVENTS
- Filipino community participates in St Patrick's Festival 2008. We thank the fifty (50) people who have submitted their names to participate in the coming St Patrick's festival 2008 Parade. They will be representing the Filipino community in Dublin. The participants, children and adults will undergo skills workshop which includes props & costume making, music and dance from October 2007 to March 2008. We also thank Tina Peji for coordinating this event. After many attempts, we will see finally the Filipino community dancing in the prestigious parade in Dublin on 17 March 2007.
|
IMMIGRATION ISSUES
- Reminder when applying for work permit: In order to streamline the processing of employment permit applications, please indicate on the front of the envelope the type of employment permit you are applying for e.g. Green Card, Work Permit, Spousal/Dependant or Intra Company Transfer.
- For Filipinos working on Stamp 1: Do you know that you can now avail of FAS state funding for FETAC level 5 care support certificates.? Your present employer must sign the form. You can attend the course every Friday only paying 25 euros (including full meals), the government pays the rest. For Filipinos working in the care or household industry, it is very important to have an up to date FETAC level 5 certificate for their next job. Nursing homes are now looking for this certificate.
- Are you or your relatives applying for visa in Ireland? Click here and check what documentations required for employment, family reunification, studies, holiday, training, performances, etc.
- Things you should know about Work Permit sytem in Ireland...
- QUESTION AND ANSWER: I am a Filipino national married to an Irishman. We have been living and working in Dublin for five years. I have recently read about changes to government policy for spouses who are not from the European Economic Area (EEA). Can you let me know if I am affected by these changes and whether they might affect my employment ? Click here to read the answer...
|
| 7th October 2007, Sunday: Migrants Rights Centre's Forum from 2:30 to 4:30pm at the Teachers Club, 36 Parnell Square West, Dublin 1. More details check website http://www.mrci.ie/ |
|
CAMPAIGNS
- Call for Two-Year GNIB Card. The Filipino community supports the campaign of Migrant Rights Centre Ireland and other organisations calling for consistency between DETE and DJELR so that GNIB card issued to migrant workers will correspond to the duration of the work permit, and decrease the financial burden on migrant workers. Since 1st January 2007, migrant workers from outside the EU are issued with two-year work permits on initial application, and three year permits on renewal of their permit. However, when they register with the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) for their residence stamp and GNIB card, they are only given a one-year stamp/card at the cost of €100.
|
ANNOUNCEMENTS
- Calling all Pangasinenses in Ireland. There will be a meeting on 11 November 2007, Sunday at the 36 Teachers Club, Parnell Square from 1.00 - 6.00 PM. For details, call Elby: 0868470408
- Are you a migrant nurse working in Ireland? Do you want to participate in a research project that will help give Irish policy makers a greater understanding of what it is really like for migrant nurses living and working in Ireland?
- 16 December 2007, Sunday. PHISH Christmas Party in Wynn's Hotel at 7.30 PM with raffle prize draw and big prizes to win!
|
ENTERTAINMENT
- 17 Oct, Wed: Night of Live Music featuring P60 Band, 8.00 PM in Katie's Gallagher, Bray. For more details, call 0830048680.
|
PERSONAL PROFILE & INTERVIEW
- Read the interview of Filipino nurse Cres Abragan 'Far From Home', published in INO Magazine, 'World of Irish Nursing'
|
| PUBLICATIONS
|
MISCELLANEOUS
- New Filipino restaurant, Cafe Manila now opens to serve you at 74 Middle Abbey St, Dublin 1 (beside Alto Food, opposite Eason bookshop). Visit also Salon de Manila in the same location.
|
|
GOOD NEWS....
OFW in Singapore commended for honesty...
|
... and BAD NEWS!
or click this to watch the video
|
IMPORTANT FACTS:
- HOW MANY FILIPINOS NOW IN IRELAND? The total of estimated Filipinos in Ireland is 16, 869 as of 2007. This is based on the statistical data of the Philippine Consulate - Dublin.
| - Registrations in 2006 (data from the Immigration Office) |
10,779 |
| - Adults registered under the IBC in 2005 (and didn't reregister in 2006) |
990 |
| - Babies born in Ireland prior to 2005 (estimate) |
700 |
| - Nurses & other skilled workers who registered in 2005 who don't need to register till 2007 |
1,800 |
| - Their spouses who registered at same time & won't register again for two years in 2007. |
600 |
| - Child dependents under 16 estimated 3,000 children applied at the Irish Consulate in Manila for visas between 2001 and now. It's not known how many were granted, or how many are reapplications) |
2,000 |
- 5 MILLION FILIPINO 'FRIENDSTER' USERS? ? Do you know there are more than 5 million Filipino Friendster users? Figures from Internet World Stats pegged the number of online Filipinos at 7.82 Million in 2005 (compared to only 2 Million in 2000). That means a little over 3 out of every 5 people who have access to the internet have a Friendster account. In Ireland, majority of the Filipino teenagers own a Friendster account which is very important channel to connect themselves with their friends here and abroad. This website service is as popular as text messaging.
|
|
Site Navigation 