Emigration Out, Immigration In, Is This Ireland’s New Normal?

Niall talks to Cormac Lucey, economics commentator with The Sunday Times Ireland, about growing concern that Ireland is becoming increasingly unaffordable for its own young people.

New figures from the National Youth Council make for stark reading. Some 68% of young adults say they are considering leaving Ireland in search of a better quality of life, while 90% believe secure, well-paid work is becoming harder to find and 89% say the housing crisis is hitting young people disproportionately hard.

With rents, house prices and the general cost of living continuing to put pressure on younger generations, many are now asking whether Ireland risks exporting its own skilled and educated young people while relying increasingly on inward migration to fill jobs and support economic growth.

Niall and Cormac examine what is driving the problem, whether current housing and economic policy is failing younger people, and what practical changes could help persuade another generation that their future is in Ireland rather than abroad.

Are we losing our best young talent, and if so, what can be done to stop it?