Over 100,000 set to emigrate

The number of people emigrating from Ireland this year and next is predicted to reach 120,000, according to the latest statistics.

The figures by the Economic and Social Research Institute also predicts the number of people out of work is now expected to average 285,700, 8,000 fewer than anticipated three months ago.

However, for 2011, it does not anticipate stronger economic growth feeding into demand for labour. The numbers of those jobless and in employment are expected to remain broadly unchanged on 2010.

Meanwhile, another survey indicated that Irish people are among the most reluctant in Europe to go abroad in search of work.

Two in every three people said that if they lost their job they would not emigrate, even if the salary was substantially more than they had been earning.

But about 15% said they are considering moving abroad while one-in-five said they could envisage leaving in the future, according to the European Commission survey.

Sinn Fein Spokesperson on the Economy Arthur Morgan has called Ireland’s predicted economic recovery ‘barren’ in its failure to create jobs.

“The report released today echoes the previous economic commentary that Ireland’s economic recovery will be barren -- essentially a jobless recovery that will not help the almost half a million people on the Live Register, nor those who are leaving our education system.

“Government inaction to address unemployment is largely being shrouded by emigration, but today’s figures highlight the gross haemorrhaging of people that will further stunt Ireland’s economic recovery as thousands of skilled and qualified people leave our shores to take up employment elsewhere.

“Economic recovery is being stifled by the withdrawal in public investment.

“While stimulus packages are being prepared elsewhere, this Government is embarking upon harsh austerity measures that are crippling the domestic economy, the economy that provides jobs.”

Mr Morgan said the Dublin government needed to realise that “behind these figures are real people, families and communities, who cannot wait any longer for the Government to intervene to create jobs.

“What the people need now is not job announcements but jobs. The blueprint for job creation is there in the various policy documents presented to the Government by my party in the last two years.”

Urgent Appeal