Managing Migration in Ireland - European Commission - Europa

ecent trends inimmigration to ireland 13Figure 2.2 Population Change in Ireland 1996–2004800007000060000500004000030000200001000001996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004Population Change Net Migration Natural IncreaseSource CSOThe increase in immigration has been accompanied by a steady fall in emigration;while in 1989 as many as 70,000 left Ireland, fewer than 19,000 did so in 2004.Though initially many entrants were in fact returning Irish nationals (56% of thetotal in 1994), their numbers have gradually declined. Irish nationals accountedfor only a quarter of those entering Ireland in 2004, (see section below on returnmigrants).Though migration has been driven by the economy (see later in this chapter andreport), the inflow of migrant workers has been supplemented by the dependantsof migrant workers. In addition, the numbers of students coming to Ireland hasincreased significantly. Work permit issuance is on a temporary basis (permits arefor one year, renewable; see Chapter 3 for a more detailed description of the labourmigration system). However, the actual scale of return migration of foreign nationalsis unknown. It can be assumed that a significant proportion of foreign nationalsreturn home after the expiry of their work permits, but no data are available on thelength of stay of permit holders.