This article is from page 33 of the 2008-07-22 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 33 JPG
has learned. This, coupled with an increase in the num- bers leaving the town, is likely to see the overall Brazilian population in Gort drop for the first time in more than a decade.
This Samba-exodus has _ been brought about by a number of dif- ferent factors including the sharp de- cline in the construction sector and the relative strength of the Brazilian Real against the euro.
“The ones who have arrived re- cently, in the last year or year and a half, haven’t been here long enough to really put their roots down – to acquire the language and get them- selves settled,’ said Frank Murray of the Gort Brazilian Association and
NUI, Galway.
“The ones who would have come to Gort in the last year or so would be much more inclined to return to Brazil now that things are not go- ing so well. You can also see around the town that less people are com- ing over. Word is getting out back in Brazil about the difficulties over here and less are coming.
“The Brazilian currency is now worth more against the euro. It’s a big difference from four or five years ago. So if a Brazilian did come to Gort on a three year economic mis- sion, that now becomes a five year mission just to make the same mon- Ne ‘There is a huge Brazilian popula- tion in places like London and with the Olympics coming up there will be a lot of Brazilians heading over there. A lot will also probably head to Italy and some might go to Por-
tugal, Switzerland and places like deren
Earlier this year the International Organisation for Migration in Dublin began a voluntary repatriation which has been inundated with request in recent months.
“A lot of people have decided that enough is enough and have decided to go home. For one reason or anoth- er they are falling on difficult times and have no real option but to leave. But things are still not great in Brazil so even the worst scenario here may well be better than the situation back in Brazil,” continued Mr Murray.
“Some people will leave, but it is sure that there will continue to be a Brazilian presence here in Gort.”