Seanad debates
Wednesday, 27 November 2002
Report on Immigration Policy: Statements.
Many people who emigrated in the 1950s and 1960s are now no longer able to care for themselves and depend on the services of other countries. There is an onus on us to do something for them. I, therefore, welcome the task force. The Minister said there may still be 20,000 people emigrating annually, but the circumstances are different. The people concerned are well-educated, with trades and degrees, and can avail of work almost immediately, which was not the case in the past. The situation is different, but we still need to support the county associations. Many of us, as public representatives, have attended their annual dinners, meeting people who have been gone for many years and of whom many, advancing in years, are looking to come back and want to know if there are homes for them in Ireland. Senator Mooney referred to the social housing mix. While there is a real demand for housing, we should give some of our emigrants a chance to get houses. They should be told they will be considered on an equal footing with people in Ireland for housing here in order that they can come back.
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