asked the Minister for Labour if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the appeal launched by the Kerry Association in London highlights the fact that the floodgates of emigration have once again opened; if he has any estimate of the number of young Irish people seeking accommodation or living in London; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Accommodation for Irish in London.
137.
The appeal by the Kerry Association in London for funding to provide hostel accommodation was launched over two years ago. There would be dangers in drawing inferences about the current level of emigration from the project.
The demand for increased hostel facilities has probably more to do with increases in the cost of accommodation in the London area. In general, increases in wages have not kept pace with increases in the cost of accommodation.
While statistics have indicated an upward trend in the movement of people from this country, there are no reliable figures on the number of young Irish people seeking accommodation in London. There is no evidence to suggest that there has been an increase in the number of disadvantaged Irish youths going to London. On the other hand, the recent HEA survey of the first destination of award recipients in higher education points to the increase in the numbers leaving third level education who obtain employment overseas.
The improved FÁS services for intending emigrants which has been introduced at my request and the Youthreach Programme, aimed at unqualified early school leavers, mean that many potential emigrants, who could be at risk, are now being actively encouraged to stay at home. The tightening up of British social security regulations in relation to young people, which has been widely publicised here, should also act as a deterrent to prospective emigrants who are ill-prepared.
For its part, the DÍON Committee have identified a number of initiatives which will be targeted towards "at risk" groups in the coming year. Attention is being directed towards ensuring the availability of "Move-on" housing as a follow-up development to schemes for emergency support for single homeless people. The attention of local authorities in London is being directed to the shortfalls in provision for Irish people in the range of move-on housing available.
The DÍON Committee have always taken the view that direct access provision for single homeless should be clearly identified as a local authority responsibility — and that the development of special provision for Irish needs should proceed only on the basis of clear commitment by the appropriate borough authorised to arrange funding and move-on housing.
In terms of DÍON's general role vis-á-vis advice work, etc., it will continue to support the work of voluntary agencies providing front-line advice and referral services for homeless young Irish people in London.
The question of emigration was fully debated in the House as recently as 8 and 9 November last when the Minister for Foreign Affairs and I gave a comprehensive and detailed statement on the Government's policies in that regard.