This article is from page 16 of the 2008-01-08 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 16 JPG
THE Bishop of Killaloe has defended the role of the immigrant population in the diocese, amid suggestions that they are abusing the welfare system.
Speaking at Mass in Ennis on Sun- day to mark Immigrant Day, Dr Wil- lie Walsh said views that non-nation- als are abusing the welfare system are simply not true.
He said that a small number of immigrants do use the system and suggestions — that this figure was sionificant were exaggerated.
He said he be- lieves that many
foreign nation- als will return to their native
Shores, as the economy experi- ences adownturn. Those working in the construction industry in Clare, holm oy Dus (CUUE- TOMMY BOE RMUUM OM OLO)eeloMm EEE ing lost their jobs, said Dr Walsh.
He made his comments as people from 20 nationalities took part in a Mass at Ennis Cathedral on Sunday, to mark Immigrant Day.
‘There is no doubt a small number have come to use our welfare system. No doubt a small number of Irish people abuse the welfare system too. Any suggestion that a large propor- tion of the immigrant population are here to abuse the system is simply not true,” he said.
“Immigrants have made an enor- mous contribution to the economy over the past 10 years. The vast ma- jority of them, of the age, are work- ing. There is solid evidence there to indicate that the vast majority of our immigrants have made a solid con-
tribution to the economy,’ Dr Walsh told