asked the Taoiseach the annual average number of persons who emigrated from 1980 to 1985 inclusive; the numbers who emigrated in 1986 and 1987; and the estimated number of persons who will emigrate in 1988.

Comprehensive documentary or other administrative procedures relating to the movement of persons into and out of the State would be necessary in order to determine the actual numbers of inward and outward migrants in any period.

As such procedures are not in force the only reliable estimates of migration flows are those for net migration, i.e., the difference between the inward and outward flows, between successive Censuses of Population.

Population estimates are made in respect of mid-April of each year from which estimates of net migration can be derived for the 12 months to mid-April.

In the five-year period from April 1980 to April 1985 net outward migration is estimated to have been 42,000 persons equivalent to an annual average of 8,400. In the years to mid-April 1986 and 1987 estimated net outward migration was 28,000 and 27,000 respectively. The net migration estimates for the 12 months to mid-April 1988 will not be available for some months.

Would the Minister agree that the rise in emigration is dramatic? I might further ask when he will be in a position to indicate the age cohorts involved? Would the Minister not agree that when one looks at the age cohorts of emigrants, the percentage rate is now approaching the same levels as in the fifties?

The information requested in the question deals mainly with statistical requirements. However, I can tell the Deputy that the estimated net outward migration for 1987 showed a reduction of 1,000 over 1986.