Intra-EU migration and managing the Brain Drain. Prague, 4.03.2009

1. Intra-EU migration and managing the Brain Drain. Prague, 4.03.2009 Kevin Quinn Manager, International Employment Services, FAS,

2. Overview • The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession • Why Ireland? • The Current Situation • The Mobility Dilemma • The Irish Response • The Response of sending countries • Conclusions

3. The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession • Based on Government policy to attract high skilled workers- • ‘Ireland by 2010 will be internationally renowned for the excellence of its research and be at the forefront in generating and using new knowledge for economic and social progress, within an innovation driven culture. The role of migrants is critical.’

4. The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession • An active recruitment campaign was launched in 2001 and all relevant countries were targeted, including USA, Australia, ‘Old EU’ and a special effort was made to attract workers from the A8. • Campaign was launched which included multiple recruitment events, Information events • Know Before You Go

5. The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession Other supports included- • Language interpretation in all public offices • All web sites in all relevant languages • Recruitment of Polish, Slovak, Latvian and Lithuanian staff to offices And this resulted in…….. >500,000 migrants, mainly from A8 States

6. The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession • Open Labour Market to A10 Countries.

7. The Irish Experience of immigration Post Accession • Educational profile higher than Native population • Language skills a problem • No one predicted numbers-strain on services • No existing theoretical framework offered explanations

8. Why Ireland? • Like UK and Sweden the Labour market was fully open • No cost to enter labour Market • Heavy marketing • No negative Media • Ireland had experienced migration • High wages and salaries • English speaking

9. Why Ireland? The Brain Drain The Brain Gain The Brain Plane…..Ryanair!

10. The Current SituationEmployment Growth

11. The Current Situation Monthly comparison 2008 versus 2009

12. The Current Situation- Unemployment

13. The Mobility Dilemma • Every MS wants to attract the brightest and the best • Free movement is a basic right • More advanced economies can offer more rewards • Benefits in host country better than salaries in sending countries

14. The Mobility Dilemma • Single persons benefit E205 per week, with dependent adult and 1 child c. E400 per week plus rent or mortgage paid over E8 per week • Average wage in Poland cE.800 per month? • Host countries now depend on their migrant communities • Sending countries cannot develop without their high skilled workers

15. The Mobility Dilemma Looking at existing theories of migration and try to reverse them- • Neo classical- they come to improve their economic chances, can they return? (Probably not) • Dual labour Market theory- No evidence that A8 are filling ‘low level’ jobs, rather it is a mix. • New Economics of labour Market theory- Migration was always seen as temporary- a means to an end

16. The Irish Response • Recognise situation of rising unemployment • Respond to sending countries requests • Keep the labour Market open but offer alternatives • Give information • Look at ‘third countries’

17. The Irish Response Information, Recruitment and Promotion Events at National Level • 2,000 + people attended Dublin • 2,500 + people attended Cork • 2,200 + people attended Limerick • Several thousand positions were available or represented at the fair. • Vacancies available in all trades and professions • Open outside office hours Friday night & Saturday. Acknowledged by public.

18. The Irish Response Information Events at National Level • A first for Ireland! • Open Days –Friday Night & Saturday • One-to-One options with: • Polish EURES Advisers from 4 Regions • Polish Business Start-up Representative • Irish Social Security Welfare Ministry • Irish Tax Ministry

19. The Irish Response • No evidence of xenophobia • Media concern is positive • Reaction of state Agencies is positive • All labour Market Activation Measures are accessible

20. The Response of sending countries • Little reaction overall • Poland and Lithuania making some efforts • Little coordination or contact • No increase in support for NGO activity • Appears to be an overall lack of strategy

21. Conclusions • Ireland open to return migration but… • Still needs skills • Much talk about ‘brain Drain’ but…. • Sending countries slow to respond • Practical measures being taken by Ireland but…. • More intense cooperation needed at agency/Ministry level

22. Intra-EU migration and managing the brain drain. Prague, 4.03.2009 THANK YOU!