Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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On consular cases, the Tánaiste indicated he expected 1,500 such cases to arise. On what is that figure based? Is it based on previous years? As for the emigrants' service, I am conscious it is estimated that over the past three years, approximately 200,000 mainly young Irish people have emigrated abroad. I believe 87,000 did so last year, 81,500 in 2010 and probably tens of thousands this year. I presume the demand for services and support will be a lot higher in consequence. How can the Department support such demand? Much of the emigrants' services provided in Britain are directed towards an older population. Is there the same demand for some of those younger people who are going there? All members have received the telephone call at the weekend to the effect that Mary or Johnny so-and-so has been arrested in the United States or is in difficulty in Australia. What is in place in that regard? Based on previous experience, I presume demand will rise again this year.