Independents are gaining in popularity, up by four points to 20% in the first Irish Times poll of the election.
Many of these are standing on anti-immigration tickets.
Almost all the parties running in the general election agree that Ireland’s current immigration system isn’t working.
Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Sinn Féin have all called for big changes.
Sinn Féin said they would introduce a new dedicated immigration management agency.
The agency would “ensure cohesion” around planning, sharing of information, and speedy decision-making.
“The current system doesn’t work for anybody,” Sinn Féin leader Mary Lou McDonald said.
“We’ve chaotic management with different bodies and government departments acting independently of one another.”
Fine Gael said they would implement a means-tested, income-linked contribution towards state accommodation for asylum seekers.
Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil said they would automatically deem ineligible any applicant who has already been refused an asylum application in another EU member state.
All three have been accused at one time or another of “scapegoating” immigrants.
When the Taoiseach (Irish prime minister) Simon Harris made a link between immigration rates and the levels of homelessness, the Irish Refugee Council described Mr Harris’ comments as “problematic and not logical”.
