Irish abroad: Do you see a recovery from afar?

Throughout the month of August, The Irish Times is running a series on recession and recovery, beginning with an overview of current economic conditions in Ireland by Arthur Beesley, and analysis of the jobs market by Carl O'Brien. Rosita Boland has looked at how two rural towns - Cavan and Abbeyleix - are faring.

Thorough Generation Emigration, we are looking for contributions from Irish people who have moved abroad since the recession hit on whether the economic downturn has had an impact on you, and if economic recovery is important to the decisions you will make about your future.

Did the recession prompt your decision to leave the country, or would you have left regardless? Do you follow economic developments here from overseas? Do you think there are signs of a recovery in Ireland? Does your decision to stay abroad or return home hang on the possibility of economic recovery? Have your chances of finding a job in Ireland improved, do you think? Or are other factors such as lifestyle, relationships, housing, schools etc more important? If you have moved back to Ireland already, was it because of improvements in the economy, and if so, what have your impressions been since your return?

Leave a comment below this article, or email your thoughts to emigration@irishtimes.com, with 'Recovery series' in the subject line. Many thanks.