Emigration numbers grow by 45%

THE number of Irish people emigrating soared by 45% in a year with some 40,200 people leaving Irish shores in the year to April.

Figures show the majority emigrated to Britain and locations outside of the US and EU.

The deepening jobs crisis has taken the unemployment rate to 14.3%, with the lack of work opportunities compounded by the rise in long-term unemployment from 5.9% to 7.7% over the year.