More coming home to Ireland than emigrating
Work opportunities mean more are returning for first time since ’09
THE number of Irish people returning home has exceeded the numbers leaving for the first time since 2009 – while there are now more people employed in Ireland than at the height of the boom.
According to CSO figures, in the year to April 2018, 28,400 Irish nationals returned home, while 28,300 emigrated – an increase of just 100 people, but a big improvement on 2017, when 3,400 more Irish people left than returned home.
Overall, the population of Ireland increased by 64,500 which represents the single largest annual increase since 2008.
The figures show major immigration to Ireland from the UK as the effects of Brexit kick in. The number of people moving from Britain to Ireland has steadily increased over the last number of years, reaching a high of 20,100 – an increase of 1,400 on 2017 and is up approximately 10,000 from 2012.
According to the CSO figures, the total number of people, both Irish and foreign nationals, emigrating to Ireland rose to 90,300 from 84,600 the previous year while the number of people emigrating from Ireland fell from 64,800 in 2017 to 56,300 this year.
This, coupled with 61,200 births in the year to April and 30,700 deaths, led to a natural population increase of 30,500. The estimated population in the Republic now stands at 4.86million, as of April this year.
As of April 2018, there were 593,600 non-Irish national residents in Ireland, accounting for 12.2% of the population.
The increase in the population will no doubt put further pressure on the housing sector which is already under strain.
A recently released report into the private rental sector in Ireland conducted by AIB raised concerns over rent costs, which are now at the sixth highest level in the world. Yesterday, the CSO also released the Labour Force Survey for the second quarter of 2018 which showed that employment went up by 74,100 (3.4%) bringing the total number in employment to 2,255,000. Speaking on the figures, Minister for Finance and Public Expenditure and Reform Paschal Donohoe said: ‘Today’s figures mark a milestone in the journey we have made in recent years in terms of getting people back to work and putting our economy back on an even keel. There are now more people at work than ever before, with 2,255,000 people now in employment.’
‘With employment at its highest level ever recorded and the economy approaching full-employment we must also be alive to the capacity constraints that may present in some sectors, which could lead to overheating in the economy.’ added Minister Donohoe. Policy Officer for Crosscare Migrant Project Danielle McLaughlin said return migration has been growing over the last few years as the economy has started to pick up.
‘Barriers to return have been well-documented, from bureaucratic red tape such as the habitual residence condition, to formal recognition of foreign qualifications and experience, and the delays in getting visas for non-EU family members to move to Ireland with them. It is now time for every Government department to take steps to ensure that returning Irish emigrants are not disadvantaged as a result of their emigration,’ Ms McLaughlin added.
According to the Karen McHugh, CEO of Safe Home Ireland which helps people who are considering moving to or returning to Ireland, the main reasons people are returning are personal relationships and work opportunities.
Employment and population both up