11 May 2013

300,000 people left Ireland in past four years

8:57 am on 11 May 2013

A survey commissioned by the National Youth Council of Ireland shows 300,000 people emigrated from the Republic of Ireland in the past four years.

The BBC reports four out of 10 of them were aged 15 - 24.

The survey showed half of those aged between 18 - 24 have considered emigrating.

Four out of 10 adults aged between 25 - 34 have also thought about leaving the country. Just over one quarter of those aged between 35 - 54 has also considered moving abroad.

The National Youth Council represents more than 50 youth organisations. It wants on the government to develop a strategy for Irish emigrants, with a minister responsible for emigration policy and for the Irish abroad.