Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)
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115. To ask the Minister for Social Protection if there is any assistance available for persons wishing to emigrate but do not have the financial means to do so; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39965/13]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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In general no financial assistance is available to people wishing to emigrate. In certain circumstances young people may be able to benefit from the 'Your first EURES job' programme created by European Commission. Information in this regard is provided later in the reply. The International Employment Services section of the Department of Social Protection is part of EURES - European Employment Services Network established by the European Commission to assist the free movement of workers between the EU/ EEA countries.

EURES is a network of more than 800+ EURES advisers (experts in transnational recruitment) which helps jobseekers find work throughout Europe and provides employment information, advice and recruitment services in all EU/ EEA countries. Ireland has 17 specially trained DSP EURES Advisers. The main areas of their responsibility are Placement, Advice and Counselling to Irish or Irish based job seekers who wish to work in the Member States of the EU/EEA and to provide an international recruitment service to Irish and European employers. 'Your first EURES job' is a targeted job mobility initiative to help young people aged 18-30 to find work abroad by offering financial contribution to the travel and subsistence costs of an interview trip and/or of moving to another EU country to take up duty. Under the eligibility criteria being met, a jobseeker can apply for an interview grant (€300), a relocation grant (€600 - €1200 depending on country of destination) and an integration programme/training grant. More information on