Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Renua Ireland) | Oireachtas source

The retention of nurses, doctors and graduates has been a major issue of concern in this country. We have lost many of them to the United Kingdom and other countries. What emphasis is being placed on ensuring that people who have spent so many years studying here get opportunities? We hear from many graduates that they have no option but to emigrate because of the lack of opportunity. I understand that as the economy picks up, more opportunities will arise, particularly for graduates. Emigration figures show that one out of every six people born in Ireland lives abroad. Many of these are abroad by choice, but there are some people who want to return, but they do not see the opportunities to do so. The Minister's narrative is that he is trying to create opportunities in order to get emigrants, particularly some of those who have emigrated in recent years, to return to Ireland to contribute here. Is he doing anything specific in that regard?

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