Slump in PPS numbers of foreign nationals

Only one in five foreign nationals of working age who were assigned PPS numbers in 2008 had any employment here five years later.

Figures show just 20.4% of those aged 15 and over who received a PPS number as the economic collapse accelerated recorded any economic activity in 2013.

A further 17.8% of the same group recorded social welfare activity, and while others are presumed to have been studying full-time, married to an earning spouse, or registered self-employed and not entitled to welfare payments, a large group are thought to have left the country.