Bogus insurance claims and staged traffic accidents poison the atmosphere for valid claims as well as tying up gardaí and ambulance services to bolster the frauds, the sentencing judge said yesterday.

Gardaí have charged 16 people with various counts of deception and making false reports in relation to orchestrated traffic accidents.

Growing numbers of college graduates may be going abroad to work but those intent on staying home to improve their qualifications are cautiously optimistic about the future.