asked the Minister for Economic Planning and Development if the level of emigration has doubled since 1977; if it is a fact that the rate is twice as high as in 1976 and 1977 when the figures were 6,960 and 13,800 respectively, according to the Central Statistics Office figures in relation to passenger movement; and if he will make a statement on this matter.
Written Answers . - Emigration Figures .
184.
: The figures quoted by the Deputy refer to the net outward passenger movements by sea and air recorded in the 12 month periods ended December 1976 and December 1977, respectively. During intercensal periods these returns are used as broad indicators of the trend in net emigration and they do suggest that net emigration increased in 1977 compared with 1976. As figures for net passenger movement are available only up to January 1978 is not possible to indicate the trend in 1978 to date.
Changes in net emigration result from variations in inward and outward flows of migrants. In recent years inward migration has been substantial. The apparent upward trend in net emigration could reflect changes in inward as well as outward flows. In the absence of an up-to-date census of population it is not possible to make such an analysis of the trend.
The census of population scheduled to take place next year will provide data for a more satisfactory assessment of the overall emigration position and will help to identify the extent to which the increase in the net outward passenger movement represents an actual increase in net emigration.