To fill positions in the high-tech world as a whole, companies routinely steal staff from other companies.  In a worldwide shortage, companies have resorted to stealing staff from other countries.  Ireland is no exception.

Although 40% of Ireland's population is under the age of 25 (versus 32% in the UK and 29% in Germany), and 60% of current university students are majoring in engineering, science or business, Ireland has initiated proactive recruiting efforts to attract the talent needed to continue the impressive growth in the technology arena.  Ireland has instituted the "Come Back to Ireland Program" - a program offered to 1st and 2nd generation immigrants that provides them with an Irish passport, and therefore the ability to work in Ireland, avoiding a lengthy application process for work visas for workers of non-Irish decent.

It seems to be working.  In 1997, 30,000 young people left to work in foreign countries - that same year 40,000 young people who had been working abroad came home.²⁷
 

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Last update: December 17, 1999 by ED/MM