WIIW The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies - Wiener Institut für Internationale Wirtschaftsvergleiche

Ireland, along with the UK and Sweden, announced an immediate opening of its borders to nationals of the NMS that became part of the EU in May 2004. In the last decade the proportion of foreign born residents in Ireland has doubled to 15%. Many of these migrants come from the new member states. They tend to be relatively young and relatively well educated. However, at present they tend to work in low skilled employment in hotels, restaurants and manufacturing. The benefits that accrue to the Irish economy and the immigrants themselves should increase as they become more fully integrated and moved up the skill ladder.