Emigration at highest level in a decade

Emigration figures reached their highest level in almost a decade in 2012, with an estimated 63,100 leaving the country.

Preliminary CSO estimates indicate emigration jumped 12% last year as the effects of the economic downturn continued to force many people to seek employment abroad.

The figures show the number of people emigrating has risen steadily since 2004, when 21,500 left the country.