CHAPTER 5: KEY MESSAGES FOR POLICY MAKERS There is no doubt, that in recent years Greece has undertaken a serious effort to tackle irregular migration. The purpose of this study has not been to challenge the Greek and consequently the EU's policy objectives altogether but rather accept the current policy objectives as granted and review the manner in which the authorities sought to achieve them. The MIDAS project solely explored the financial dimension of the Greek migration policy and has sought to put forward policy recommendations in line with international human rights law that will benefit both migrants and the host society. The main disadvantage in Greece's approach towards irregular migration is the sweeping manner in which it designs and applies its policies. Their indiscriminate application is not cost effective firstly because it creates unnecessary expenditures and secondly because it seeks to maximize the effectiveness of few tools of supposed strategic significance, largely ignoring the complexities of contemporary migratory flows. What is needed instead is a more nuanced and holistic approach, as Greece had envisioned in the original design laid out in the National Action Plan. The Conclusions summarize here our policy recommendations which are meant to aid Greece make better use of its budget and enhance its application:  Awareness-raising campaigns: Greece should invest in awareness-campaigning. For instance, Greece can appoint migration officers at diplomatic delegations abroad and distribute through NGOs both in Greece and abroad film documentaries. There is often little awareness among prospective irregular migrants before starting their journey that they can hardly hope to regularize their stay and legitimately work in Europe.  More comprehensive and accurate Data collection to allow better evaluation of policies: It is important that more accurate data are kept to monitor the final outcomes of Greece’s policies, in particular in the context of apprehension and detention.  Investment in forged documents identification (will cut down time during round up operations). Under the current scheme, in the course of a round up operation all migrants are gathered together, transferred to police headquarters and their documents are checked there. This is a time-consuming and inefficient practice for both the people checked and the officers involved. Funds could be invested in forged documentation technology.  Re-distribution of funds in training and screening: There is space to distribute funds in screening and linguistic training of officers so that identification becomes faster. This would cut down on the time of the operation and save resources which could be spent elsewhere (e.g. regular police duties)  Screening of individual cases: it is unnecessary to detain indiscriminately irregular migrants, since on top of everything else it results in unnecessary expenditures. Asylumseekers for instance, cannot be deported for as long as their claims are being examined; Page 61