The Government is allocating £100,000 for the development of an information and advice service for emigrants and for those planning to leave the State to seek work.

The Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, Mr Ahern, said the funds would be used provide information to Irish people living abroad and improve access to pre-departure advice for those planning to emigrate.

The initiative recognised that, while many qualified people were leaving the State, others were likely to be "far less prepared" for the challenges of settling abroad, Mr Ahern said in a statement.

The money will be used to examine the availability, quality and effectiveness of pre-departure information and advice available to young people travelling to the US and Britain. Pilot projects will also be established.

The money will also be used to co-ordinate information and advice projects for Irish people living abroad. A crucial element of this will be to provide information for people returning after living abroad.

As requested by organisations in Britain and the US, the availability of information locally will be improved.

The Minister said the information services would be developed in consultation with the relevant State and non-statutory bodies.