Ireland, from boom to bust: to what extent has the downfall in the Irish economy impacted on Polish migrants living and working in Ireland?

The need for workers during Ireland’s so-called ‘Celtic Tiger’ era attracted migrants from many countries. In 2004 Ireland opened its borders to the New Member States (NMS) favouring migrant workers from the accession countries. This resulted in migrants from the NMS entering the country seeking employment, the largest group being from Poland. When the Irish economy started to decline in the late 2000s both nationals and migrants started to leave the country. However, many Polish migrants have continued to remain in the country. This thesis explores the reasons why Polish migrants came to Ireland and why they continue to remain in the country despite its economic decline post 2010 when austerity became a reality. This thesis argues that most of those Polish migrants who took part in this study are well educated. Most claim that they have not been discriminated against in terms of their social needs, conditions of employment, salary, or promotion in their place of work. Although they originally migrated to Ireland for economic reasons the recent measurers of austerity introduced since 2010 has not had any major impact on their standard of living. This thesis argues that despite high unemployment and measurers of austerity introduced by the Irish government since 2010, most Polish migrants wish to remain in Ireland because of their quality of life, better job opportunities and personal commitments. It concludes that leaving Ireland is not that simple, their domestic circumstances have now changed, and some have got married, have families and enjoy a better quality of life in Ireland than in Poland. Their decision whether to remain or leave Ireland no longer rests solely with them. They now have to consider their domestic situation, their family’s opinions, and their future. Most are of the opinion that even if they became unemployed while in Ireland they could survive financially and returning to Poland is an option that they do not wish to contemplate.