THE NUMBER of citizens from the EU's newer member states who registered to work or to access public services in the Republic fell by 40 per cent in the first half of the year, suggesting a significant easing of the inward migration flow from central and eastern Europe. RUADHÁN MacCORMAIC, Migration Correspondent reoprts
Figures released to The Irish Timesshow that just over 40,000 people from the EU's 12 newest members obtained a PPS number in the first six months of the year, compared to 66,500 over the same period last year.
There was a decline of some 40 per cent among Poles and Lithuanians, and the trend appears to have accelerated last month, with these countries showing reductions of 46 and 44 per cent respectively. Take-up among Romanians has fallen by 58 per cent so far this year.
The easing of the immigration flow is partly explained by the slowing Irish economy and improvements in labour markets elsewhere. In Poland, for example, the zloty's rise against the euro has reduced the pay-off for emigrants, while shortages and increasing wages at home have made it more attractive to stay.
Although the figures give an indication of inward migration, they do not show how many people have left the State since registering. Similarly, they do not include migrants who chose not to sign up for a PPS number, or seasonal workers who re-activated numbers they held from previous stints here.
The economic downturn shows no evidence yet of deterring highly skilled workers from outside the EU. Figures held by the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment confirm some 4,900 work permits were issued in the first half of the year - 600 more than at the same point in 2007. These permits are granted for jobs that cannot be filled from within the European Economic Area and exclude labourers, childminders and most catering staff.
Among those granted new permits this year, the largest numbers came from India (1,383) and the Philippines (605), both of which are well-represented in the health service. These were followed by US citizens (415), South Africans (253) and Malaysians (233).
Take-up of the "green card", introduced last year to attract highly skilled workers and mostly covering occupations with a salary of €60,000 or more, has almost halved from 324 in June 2007 to 173 last month.
The half-year figures point to a continuing discrepancy between the number of Romanians who secured work permits (76) and those who were issued with PPS numbers (3,306). Though they now have freedom of movement within the EU, the Government has restricted Romanians from working here unless they have a permit or are self-employed.
It is not known how many have since returned home, and it is also unclear how many are students, dependent spouses or workers in the black economy. A Government measure to prevent "welfare tourism" means Romanians and other EU accession country nationals cannot claim social welfare unless they have lived in Ireland for two years or more.