More young people are starting to leave Ireland as soon as they finish second-level education, according to a Dublin youth worker.
SWAN Youth Services worker Angela Hart said all young people she talks to as part of her work are curious about emigration, which is a daily topic of conversation for her.
“Every one of them [I work with are talking about leaving], because if we have 20 young people a week coming in, they’re talking about emigration. I’m talking about people aged between 18 to 20,” she said.
“Even the younger kids are talking about it now, because it’s becoming the norm. That’s their future. That’s what they see. They’re saying that if they even do finish school, there’s nothing for them here.
“I would see a good few of them leave then. There’s nothing for them to do, even in their communities, only talk about emigration and then to actually do it.”
Ms Hart was taking part in today's Forced to Fly protest outside the Department of Children and Youth Affairs, which was organised to highlight funding cuts to youth services.
Leaving Certificate pupil Owen Butler also took part in the protest. Although beginning college this year, Mr Butler says he feels emigration is the only option for him once he completes third-level education.
I have a few [family members] that went to Australia. I’m going to college to do travel and tourism, but I’d rather not stay here. There’s probably not going to be any jobs [in that field ]by the time I finish.”
Youth Worker and Siptu activist Ashling Golden said Government cuts to youth services are severely affecting the younger generation’s prospects of a life in Ireland.
“The cuts that have already happened in youth services have had a devastating effect and the Government plans to introduce more in the next budget. Vital services for some of the most disadvantaged young people will be further eroded,” she said.
“This will affect projects supporting young people’s physical, mental and emotional development. The cuts will jeopardise the operation of advocacy, education, youth leadership, creative arts and outdoor pursuits programmes to name just a few.”