Difficulties facing returning Irish emigrants

Sir, – I am writing to convey my extreme anger at the difficulty I have faced in returning to Ireland to work.

I qualified as a speech and language therapist in NUI Galway and I left for the UK six years ago, when there was a moratorium on hiring in the HSE.

I have waited six years for a job to come up near my home in Dublin. Recently, I have applied for, and gladly accepted a role in the HSE.

However, nothing prepared me for the red tape I have encountered in trying to return to take up this employment.

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Between the HSE asking for evidence of my MMR vaccines, from 35 years ago, and CORU, which regulates health and social care professionals, claiming a possible 16-week wait to be deemed “fit for practice”, I am starting to wonder if Ireland cares enough about the people who were forced to leave and who are now trying to get back.

One State agency is holding up a job from another State agency. Céad míle fáilte rómhat go hÉireann! – Yours, etc,

LAURA TOBIN,

London,

England.