Smooth pathway needed to help Irish migrants return home – Burke

Now that our economy is recovering we need to create a smooth pathway home for Irish migrants who wish to return, a Fine Gael Senator has said.

Cork Senator Colm Burke said: “There is a serious shortage of skilled workers in the construction, medical and nursing sectors and also in the nursing home area in particular.

“Accessing state services, housing and car insurance and parity of qualifications has been particularly problematic for people returning to Ireland.

“During the early years of the recession which began in 2008, employment levels collapsed and the economy shed more than 350,000 jobs in the space of four years. The recession was particularly damaging to construction employment which fell by almost 150,000 from its peak levels.

“During the recession, tens of thousands of Irish people were forced to emigrate in search of jobs and career opportunities.

“As the economic recovery took hold and the construction sector began to pick up, many of those forced to emigrate began to return home.

“A very specific issue has arisen about the recognition in Ireland of qualifications obtained in countries outside the European Union.

“Many construction workers for example find that qualifications obtained in Australia are not recognised here in Ireland.

“The problem is not confined to the construction sector alone but extends across many employment sectors.

“There is an urgent need for a system to be put in place for the mutual recognition of qualifications between Ireland and the relevant non-EU countries.

“When migrants return, they are often barred from accessing social services in the months immediately after return. We need to examine how we can do better on this.

“There also needs to be strong engagement with the insurance industry to prevent returning migrants being ripped off on car insurance.

“I believe a person’s driving insurance record while overseas should be recognised by the insurance companies here, so they don’t have to go back to square one in terms of their no claims bonus years.”

Senator Burke concluded: “Ireland has an obligation to the many people forced to emigrate because of economic necessity and who now wish to return to avail of employment opportunities in an expanding economy.

“We must remember that many of these are highly qualified people who will further enhance our country from the experience they have gained abroad and it is incumbent upon us to create a pathway home for these migrants who wish to return home.”

ENDS