So emigration for graduates has decreased between the last figures available in 1994 and those now released for 1995. For primary-degree graduates, the percentage going abroad has dropped by two per cent, while for holders of higher degrees it fell by 1.6 per cent. At sub-degree level, the decrease is 0.2 per cent for certificate holders and 1.2 per cent for diplomats.
While this appears good news, it's still not an acceptable level of emigration for people who have completed one or more strands of higher education.
In the survey conducted by the Higher Education Authority, the proportion of primary-degree respondents leaving Ireland in 1995 was 15.8 per cent. It's understandable that some primary degree holders who wish to undertake further study would choose to go overseas. Similarly, a proportion of those going directly into employment would choose to go abroad, but at 15.8 per cent, this seems a relatively high proportion of graduates.
This level of graduate emigration varied across faculties. Engineering graduates emigrating fell from 19 per cent in 1994 to 17 per cent in 1995. Almost one-third of veterinary graduates were employed in Britain after graduation.
ALTHOUGH there is a long-established trend among dental and medical graduates of gaining work experience overseas before returning to Ireland, the proportion of dentistry, medicine and paramedical primary-degree graduates who got employment in Ireland rose from 67 per cent in 1994 to 74 per cent in 1995, while the proportion who gained employment overseas fell by 7.7 per cent in 1995.
The figures in this survey are, however, somewhat distorted by the inclusion of non-nationals who may be returning to their own countries.
In 1990, when emigration was considered a serious problem and an enforced option for many graduates, the proportion of primary-degree holders going overseas was still only 19 per cent. Indeed, in 1992, graduate emigration was at its lowest in the past six years, at 14.3 per cent.
If 15.8 per cent seems high for primary-degree holders, then the proportion of higher-degree respondents in this survey leaving Ireland is dramatic: 23.7 per cent, as compared with 25.3 per cent in the previous year. Almost one-quarter of our higher-degree graduates, for one reason or another, went overseas.
THE picture appears brightest for certificate and diploma-level students, who enjoy the lowest level of emigration among third-level graduates. In 1995, 13.6 per cent of diploma holders went abroad, as compared with 14.8 per cent in 1994. Percentages also dropped slightly at certificate level from 5.3 to 5.1 per cent. But many may have been pursuing their studies at home and may join the graduate emigration trail when they reach degree level.
Things are improving, but the figures would need to reduce a lot more before anyone in education in Ireland could feel complacent about the economic boom and its employment implications for third-level graduates.