THE PUBLIC HAS a more negative view of immigration now than seven years ago, according to a new survey.

While the majority of people still believe that the influx of migrants has been positive, or made little difference at all, the number who believe it had a negative impact has risen from 33% in 2008 to 37% this year.

The figures are contained in a survey carried out by Amárach Research for today’s National Integration Conference, a Metro Éireann initiative with The Irish Times.

Immigration reached a peak of 100,000 people in 2007, after which it fell sharply as the recession began to bite. By 2009, there were more people leaving Ireland than immigrating.

Source: European Migration Network

While attitudes towards migrants in general has worsened, the public is less worried about the potential impact on education and health services.

For education, 43% are not worried, up from 35% in 2008, while for health the note worried side increased from 28% to 35%.

According to the survey, the public believe immigrants from the United Kingdom are the best integrated, followed by those from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and Western Europe.

At the opposite end of the scale, roughly 40% believe Muslims have a low level of ingratiation with society, followed by Travellers and those from ‘Nigeria, South Africa and Other Africa’.