Mr. Oliver Gilvarry:

I cannot put a quantifiable figure on it but there is a question mark over what we are seeing in the shortages in certain parts of the economy. Due to the pandemic with the restrictions imposed, we saw people leave and go back home. We can see it in Dublin. There are vacancies in the hospitality sector. There is a question mark there as to whether people have returned home and seen that the cost of living is lower in continental Europe. One thing we are seeing in discussions with other countries, not only member states of the European Union but also of the OECD, is that Singapore, New Zealand and, from an EU perspective, Denmark are all experiencing labour shortages. I cannot tell Deputy O'Reilly that it is X amount or, as she said, the pounds, shillings and pence, but there is a question in this regard. Something that we have put forward in the challenge is that we need to deal with these competitiveness and cost issues in order that Ireland is an attractive place, not only to work but also to live.