High levels of emigration lead to Irish brain drain

A new report has found that Ireland is experiencing a brain drain because of emigration.

The study, carried out by UCC, found that graduates are over represented when it comes to emigrants.

The country has significantly higher levels of emigration than other western European countries hit by the Eurozone crisis.

This UCC study also found that almost two thirds of emigrants have a third level qualification.

Whereas only half of Irish people aged between 25 and 34 in general are graduates.

And rural Ireland has been hit hardest - one in four homes have been effected.

Perhaps surprisingly, almost half of emigrants had full time jobs in Ireland before leaving - a quarter were unemployed.

Most emigrants leave Ireland for the UK and Australia - but Canada is becoming an increasingly important destination.

When it comes to staying in touch with home - the vast majority use social media and Skype.

Taoiseach Enda Kenny admitted he is concerned about the economic and social effects of massive emigration in the wake of the report.

"Yes, of course, I'm concerned about it … we did lose 250,000 jobs in the three years prior to this government being elected. We have a long way to go, but we need and will continue to work very hard in that respect."