Would a €750 tax cut stop young people from leaving Ireland? 

Enterprise Minister Peter Burke has suggested the introduction of a tax credit for people under 25 would help Ireland “retain talent”. 

The policy is not Government policy at this point in time but Lunchtime Live listeners were sceptical that it would stem the flow of immigration. 

“It seems like a great idea and I’m not going to complain about an extra €750 but it’s not nearly enough to incentivise staying instead of going,” 23-year-old Adam said. 

“Moving away, there’s so much opportunity for getting a house and having a nice life. 

“I just don’t think this solves all the issues that are causing people to leave.” 

By contrast, Adam said the idea of moving away was ‘exciting and fun’ and offered young people the chance of more opportunities. 

An Irish passport and Express Post red label are seen in September 2019. Picture by: bincidaphoto / Alamy Stock Photo

Another listener, Aisling, currently has five young people in their 20s living in her home. 

Her three children live at home, as does her son’s girlfriend and she is also renting another room out under the Government’s ‘Rent A Room’ scheme. 

She feels it is unlikely €750 would stop people from leaving Ireland. 

“It wouldn’t cut it,” she said. 

“I think the money could be well spent elsewhere; I know they all say it’d be nice to have that extra €750 but it’s not what’s going to keep them in Ireland - that’s for sure.

“It just won’t, it’s a drop in the ocean.” 

Rows of Aer Lingus planes on standby at Dublin Airport, 29-6-24. Image: Leah Farrell/© RollingNews.ie

Her son’s girlfriend is from Berlin and the couple are currently considered whether to move there. 

“I think they can get accommodation between the two of them for about €1,000 a month,” Aisling said. 

“There’s no way you could get accommodation in Ireland for €1,000 a month.” 

Most importantly, Aisling said, a €750 tax credit is not going to compensate for the lack of independence that comes from living with your parents. 

“They’re all at the stage where they want to have relationships,” she said. 

“Their girlfriends and boyfriends are all living in other houses… and they can’t even put enough together as young adults to rent somewhere together because it’s still astronomical.”

According to the CSO, 41% of people between the ages of 18 and 34 were at home with their parents on census night in 2022.

Main image: Passengers wait to board a 'redeye' early morning flight at Dublin Airport. Picture by: Peter Titmuss / Alamy Stock Photo