Paul Kehoe (Wexford, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

As the Minister of State whose remit includes the Central Statistics Office, I thank the Deputy for raising this important issue. Emigration, particularly by young people, is an issue of concern to many families across the country. The most recent population and migration estimates were published by the CSO on 29 August. The figures include estimates of immigration and emigration for the 12 months to mid-April of this year. The results show that the numbers leaving increased to 89,000 from 87,000 the previous year. Immigration also increased over this period from 53,000 to 56,000. These combined changes resulted in a total net outward migration of 33,000, which shows a slight decline from the figure of 34,000 in the previous year.

The principal source of information on emigration and immigration is the quarterly national household survey. That survey is used to provide information on the flow of migrants by sex, age group, origin and destination, and nationality. Given the underlying seasonality and variability of all migration flows, the CSO does not publish these estimates on a sub-annual basis, such as every quarter or six months. In addition, the provision of data at a more detailed level, such as emigration by county, is not possible due to measurement issues associated with sub-populations in sample surveys of this nature.

However, the CSO is continuously improving the scope of information in this area. Recent improvements include the publication of data on the nationality of emigrants, estimates of the total population by nationality, and more detailed breakdowns of emigration and immigration by country of destination and origin. For example, in its most recent release the CSO published, for the first time, figures on emigration to Australia and Canada as individual destinations. The data show that in 2013, some 15,000 people moved to Australia, while 5,000 moved to Canada. Britain continues to be the principal destination for emigrants from Ireland, with 21,900 moving there in 2013. It is interesting to note that 5,000 people moved from Australia to Ireland in 2013, while some 10,000 moved here from the United Kingdom. There is clearly an ongoing movement of people both in and out of Ireland to these destinations.

The CSO also publishes annual figures on migration by age group. The 2013 data show that the peak age group for people emigrating was between 25 to 44, with 41,000, or 46%, of all emigrants in this category. That cohort is followed by those aged 15 to 24, who made up 35,000, or 40% of the total. The CSO does not produce data on age group broken down by nationality as the sample survey does not support that level of detail.

While people emigrate for a number of reasons, the desire to find meaningful work and opportunity is a prominent one. The Government is acutely aware of the scourge of youth unemployment and is prioritising policy responses accordingly.

The overarching strategy for tackling unemployment, including among our young people, is to ensure we have the best environment for a strong economic recovery. This includes, for example, the Action Plan for Jobs which improves enterprise supports, competitiveness, innovation and productivity. This is leading to many new job opportunities. In addition, we have strengthened programmes and services to assist jobseekers and keep them close to the labour market . For example, the Youthreach programme provides 6,000 places to train people aged between 15 and 20.

During Ireland's successful Presidency of the European Union, the so-called youth guarantee was agreed stating that member states should ensure that all young people under the age of 25 receive a good quality offer of employment, continued education, an apprenticeship or a traineeship within four months of becoming unemployed or leaving formal education. The development of the Ireland's plan is being led by the Department of Social Protection with the support of other relevant Departments, with input from the OECD. The Government has put in place a range of targeted responses for our unemployed young people, and we are determined to make improvements where necessary and these are under way.

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