Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

Some 80,000 people from the accession states are currently working here, according to CSO estimates. While the capture of data relating to people coming here is quite good, as a result of the issuing of PPS numbers, some work remains to be done to create a more accurate database of information about people on the way out. Ireland is now the fourth most favoured destination for Polish citizens, after the United States, the UK and Germany. It is obvious that there are high levels of unemployment in Poland.

Some 1,840 work permits were issued to Romanian nationals in 2005. Just 250 of those work permits were new permits. Some 570 work permits were issued to Bulgarian nationals in 2005, of which 50 were new permits. The unemployment rate in Romania is 17% and the unemployment rate in Bulgaria is 11%.

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