Most arrivals choose to stay, says report

SOME SEVEN in 10 of all immigrants who arrived from the 10 accession states prior to them becoming full members of the EU are…

SOME SEVEN in 10 of all immigrants who arrived from the 10 accession states prior to them becoming full members of the EU are still in Ireland, it has emerged.

An analysis of PPS numbers issued in 2004 shows that 70 per cent of the numbers are still "live" and only three in 10 are no longer in use.

The analysis was commissioned on behalf of the office of the Minster for Integration, Conor Lenihan, and will form part of Migration Nation, the Government's first formal statement on its handling of integration strategy and diversity management in Ireland. The report will be published later today.

The new information seems to contradict anecdotal evidence that many Polish nationals have left Ireland over the past 12 months because of the sharp downturn in the construction industry.

Mr Lenihan's office shows there has been a 50 per cent drop in incoming migrants in the past year but that - by international comparisons - there is still a large-scale inflow. The statement includes detailed research conducted on attitudes to integration, from both Irish people and immigrants.

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Harry McGee

Harry McGee

Harry McGee is a Political Correspondent with The Irish Times