Ms Maureen Sullivan:

I shall briefly explain where I am coming from. I come from a rural town in County Kerry. I lived in Dublin for over a decade and went to college. I have also lived in Boston and New York. This is my second move home to a rural town in County Kerry. I made the transition from a big city to a very small rural town. A few of the issues that were outlined here today took me by surprise. For example, the cost of car insurance if one has lived outside of the country for several years. Also, the fact that a credit rating that I had built up in New York over several years was basically non-existent in the eyes of the Irish Credit Bureau. I was also surprised to learn that I had to reside here a full three years before I would qualify for reduced college fees that are available to Irish residents. The provision is shortsighted because upskilling is now a fact of life. One needs to keep up to date with many things especially IT and the Internet because they constantly change. I found it difficult to be asked to fork out more money as if one was not a citizen of this country. Let us remember that one incurs financial costs when returning home, especially in a rural area.

We have an opportunity to improve things because the policy document mentions the revitalisation of rural Ireland. I was surprised returning emigrants were not mentioned in the policy document because there has been a large campaign to encourage emigrants to come home to work. I believe returning emigrants should be included in the policy document, that would be great. There are more people like me who want to return home to their rural areas. We have gained experience from living abroad but now have a desire to live in rural areas. The Government had the idea of compiling a policy document to make the best of rural Ireland. Rural Ireland has an awful lot to offer. I am originally from Kenmare. One would be unaware that the town has quite a number of self-employed people because the business of the town is focused on the hospitality and tourism industry. Many professionals who live in Kenmare work in IT, film production and media and these resources can be tapped into. I suggest that the Government take a closer look at the people who have returned to rural areas and provide a level playing field for returning emigrants. I do not seek special treatment. I mean returning citizens or people who have lived in cities but want to return to their rural roots. An opportunity does exist. I urge the Government to keep us in mind and work with us to create a vibrant rural economy in Ireland.