John Deasy (Waterford, Fine Gael)
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Question 11: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if there is an analysis on the amount of emigrants leaving Ireland and of the skills possessed by such workers emigrating abroad; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8451/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I am not aware of any analysis being conducted on the skill levels of emigrants be they Irish or other nationalities.

According to recent information contained in the Population and Migration Estimates of the Central Statistics Office, published in December last, an estimated 42,200 people emigrated from the State in the twelve months to April 2007.

The Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform have informed me that their agencies do not operate border exit controls. Accordingly, data on the skill levels or other characteristics of emigrants are not available.

Free labour movement provisions are central to the mission of the European Union. These, along with complementary free movement provisions governing other factors of production, are key to the development and functioning of a strong internal market.

I should also mention the existence of a Community-wide employment service that is at the disposal of those relocating within the European Union. The EURES system provides information, advice and a recruitment/placement services to such people. The national authority for this system is FAS and it has electronically linked counterparts in every other EU member State. Those seeking to relocate abroad for work or training, for shorter or longer periods, could usefully explore the supports available through EURES.