The recession in Ireland is really beginning to bite. Latest figures indicate that unemployment is rising at a dramatic rate. In September 240,000 people were signing on - an increase of almost 50% compared to the same period last year. This brings the unemployment rate to 6.3%.

With this backdrop there are growing signs that emigration could be about to begin on a significant scale. A new survey for the Halifax shows that over half of Ireland's third level students are so concerned about their job prospects that they plan to move abroad once they graduate.

The impact of unemployment appears to be particularly acute for Ireland's migrant workers. The number of foreign nationals applying for unemployment benefit has increased by almost 80% over the past year.