The London-Irish Centre in Camden: steady increase

The London Irish Centre is now paying for the equivalent of one person a week to return home because they are unable to support themselves in the city and are at risk of homelessness.

As a new generation of Irish people moves to London in search of work, the centre's director, Peter Hammond, said there has been a marked increase in the number of young people it has had to help repatriate because they have got into difficulties.

Although the centre has had an emergency fund in place for many years to help Irish people get home, Hammond said there has been a significant change in the profile of those seeking assistance.

"In the last year, we have seen a noticeable and steady increase in numbers and it is now equivalent to roughly one a week," he said. "Previously they would have been people who have lived what we would call chaotic lifestyles, for example coming from families with a crime, drugs or alcohol background. But in recent times we have seen more young people coming to us because of their economic situation, people who in other times would have been working away at home but who came to London after they lost their jobs. But it hasn't worked out for them. We're not an easy touch. They would want to be actually homeless or close to homeless to avail of the fund."

While there is work in London, Hammond stressed that much of it pays only the minimum wage or slightly above it, unless you have a useful third-level qualification or extensive experience.