Advertisement

We need your help now

Support from readers like you keeps The Journal open.

You are visiting us because we have something you value. Independent, unbiased news that tells the truth. Advertising revenue goes some way to support our mission, but this year it has not been enough.

If you've seen value in our reporting, please contribute what you can, so we can continue to produce accurate and meaningful journalism. For everyone who needs it.

Famine statues in Dublin's IFSC, next to the Jeanie Johnston Jeanie Johnston
Students

Students to highlight Irish brain drain

USI say graduates are forced to leave Ireland.

USI, the Union of Students in Ireland is to highlight the problem of graduate emigration in Ireland tomorrow.

Dressed as various professionals, the group will protest at Irish famine ship, the Jeanie Johston in the IFSC tomorrow. The aim is to highlight the large number of graduates who have been forced to emigrate due to high unemployment  (13.3% in June).

Gary Redmond, USI President, said Ireland is losing the future drivers of the smart economy

“91,646 people under the age of 25 are unemployed,” he said.

“It is astonishing that this critical issue remains largely off the Government’s radar.

“USI is not prepared to stand idly by while this Government oversees the loss of yet another generation of young Irish men and women.”

Recent figures from the ESRI show that 120,000 are expected to leave Ireland over the next two years.

The USI said it was ironic the Jeanie Johnston famine ship is docked in the IFSC, which was once Ireland’s economic hub and a source of employment for many graduates.

The demonstration is at 10am tomorrow.