The year the outgoing government took office, 80,600 people left Ireland.

Emigration was quickly becoming a huge issue in communities right across the country.

The number rose the following year to 87,000 - and then 89,000 left in 2013.

This is probably not surprising, given that unemployment had climbed above 14%.

But as Fine Gael and Labour are keen to stress, the recovery is well underway and jobs and are being created.

So does that mean the spectre of emigration is no more?

Newstalk Breakfast's Kieran Cuddihy has been looking into the numbers - and spoke to some of those affected.

"The problem isn't only fixed - the recession is somewhat over, but in the west of Ireland and Mayo in particular we aren't seeing the green shoots", Paul Cunnane - Public Relations Officer with the Mayo County Board - said.

"People my age, they're finding that when there's little work out there there is only one choice but to leave".

"They've gone on so-called six month visas or one year visas - but suddenly six months, a year turns into three, four or five years".

"All of a sudden they're gone and it's very hard for them to come back and a lot of the time they just don't come back", Mr Cunnane added.

Kieran also spoke to student nurse Avril.

"I probably will emigrate - more than likely England".

"The NHS are offering a €5,000 bonus before you ever start work there, just because of the education we get here in Ireland", she said.

"90% of our year are planning on going abroad - we're not getting any reward for the work that we do here at the present and there's no opportunity to upskill - so why would we stay?", she added.