The homeland awaits

7.5.2015

Question for written answer E-007419-15
to the Commission
Rule 130
István Ujhelyi (S&D)

According to statistics which have been published, emigration from Hungary has accelerated considerably in recent years, and more than half a million young people are already seeking prosperity in other Member States, mainly in the West. On the one hand, this entails social and economic tension, but at the same time it calls for the earliest possible solution from the Hungarian Government and the European community. The Orbán government (finally, after long years of delay, becoming aware of and recognising the serious impact of emigration) has launched a pilot programme called ‘Young people, come home’. The aim of the initiative is to help young people who are working abroad to return home by providing support with housing and settling back in, and/or with finding appropriate work. In the initial stage, the plan is to allocate HUF 100 million to five ‘lures’ to encourage young people to come back.

— What similar government programmes does the Commission know of (and is it perhaps supporting) which have already produced material results?

— How can the Commission become involved and play a part in similar programmes?

— How practicable might it be to establish a special central fund for this purpose which would help young people who have emigrated from any country, particularly those in Eastern Europe, under the force of social circumstances, to find prosperity at home?