PROSPECTS FOR THE RETURN OF OVERSEAS IRISH TO THEIR HOMELAND AND THE PROBLEMS OF IMMIGRATION IN THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

Abstract

It has been established that many years of emigration from the Republic of Ireland have led to the formation of a large Irish diaspora. Today, some members of the diaspora are returning home to the Republic of Ireland, and they are joined by immigrants, especially from other EU countries. Relations with the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and the EU, where the largest number of Irish people live, have shaped the Republic of Ireland’s immigration policy, which focuses on integration and asylum for all citizens with Irish roots. Despite some concerns, the attitude of the Irish towards immigration remains generally positive. It has been revealed that in the early 1990s an era of immigration begins in the Republic of Ireland, which is associated with both the return of part of the Irish state’s large diaspora and a period of rapid economic growth in the country – the transformation of the Republic of Ireland into a «Celtic Tiger» before the global financial and economic crisis of 2008, which severely affected the Irish state. Many members of the Irish diaspora around the world are returning, joined by immigrants, especially from other EU countries. The relationship with the UK and the EU has shaped the immigration policy of the Republic of Ireland. Contemporary policy debates in the Republic of Ireland centre on issues related to integration and asylum. Despite some misgivings, Irish attitudes towards immigration remain generally positive It has been established that over the past five years, around 100,000 Irish people have returned to their home country from abroad each year, which is unprecedented. Most returning emigrants are aged between 30 and 44, have children and are educated in the Irish education system. It has been shown that immigrants today face difficulties in finding work, especially in Dublin, in having their qualifications recognised, in finding accommodation, in having childcare and in having healthcare. The need to simplify the process of recognising foreign qualifications and to provide access to various support programmes such as “Help to Buy” remains a pressing issue. It is important to simplify the process of finding employment and to provide support for self-employment. It is necessary to improve the conditions for receiving healthcare and access to private health insurance. Returning Irish emigrants face problems in reintegrating into Irish society.