USING EMIGRATION as a safety valve, as was done by governments in the 1950s and 1960s, is not acceptable. This social and economic scourge that ripped the heart out of communities and stifled development has to be confronted and defeated.
It will not be easy or painless. But it can be done. In seven years of rapid growth up to 2001, unemployment rates here were cut from 16 to 4 per cent. Emigration patterns were reversed. Today, we start from a better base. Infrastructure is much improved. The labour force exceeds two million. Workers have enhanced skills and higher qualifications. But vision, discipline and leadership will be required to harness these strengths. So far, such attributes have been lacking.
The emigrant boat and plane have re-emerged as potent threats to family life. The number of people leaving the State rose by one-quarter between 2006 and 2008. And while the initial outflow was composed mainly of foreign-born workers, the number of Irish nationals leaving the country rose rapidly as companies closed and jobs evaporated. Young people have been particularly affected by the recession. We are losing many of our brightest and best – those most likely to contribute to a resurgent economy – to foreign countries.
Historic emigration patterns were set in Ireland by lagging economic development. That pattern was broken only in the 1970s and again in the 1990s when rapid industrialisation took place. So, we know what is required. What is needed is a ruthless determination to bring it about.
Having devoted much of the past two years to rescuing banks while unemployment levels soared, the Government has finally decided that job creation will become its new priority. Realisation that the only way of avoiding crushing long-term debt is through rapid economic growth may have marked a turning point. Whatever the reason, the commitment of Taoiseach Brian Cowen to a jobs agenda is to be welcomed. But his meeting with the heads of State agencies engaged in training, education and economic development will have little impact without significant increases in funding.
There has been a lack of joined-up thinking in the Government’s approach. It talks about promoting a smart economy and encouraging skills development while two out of three students cannot access post-leaving cert courses and are forced to emigrate or join the dole queue. Money may be tight, but denying these young people such a vital opportunity amounts to social vandalism. Ireland remains a wealthy, developed country with one of the least-equitable systems of taxation. Fixing the banks will not, of itself, fix the economy. Structural and administrative reform of State services will be required. Costs will have to be contained in order to encourage innovation and job creation. As was stated when the recession first hit: the pain and cost of recovery must not fall disproportionately on the most vulnerable. Individuals who can afford most should contribute most to a comprehensive programme for growth and job creation.