Despite reports of an exodus of Poles from Ireland, there has been no decline in the numbers attending Polish-language Masses around the country. According to Fr Jaroslaw Maszkiewicz's, head of the Polish chaplaincy in Ireland, the crowds attending St Audoen's church in Dublin's city centre are showing no signs of diminishing.
He estimates 8,000 Poles attend the church's five Sunday services.
''I don't know what explains it but, speaking to my colleagues in other parishes, they say the same; that the numbers are still coming.'' There are more than 30 Polish Masses celebrated in Ireland every weekend.
In fact, said Fr Maskiewicz, the chaplainly is expanding.
Last month, Fr Rafal Januszewski, 30, was assigned to Buncrana parish in Donegal to serve the town's burgeoning Polish community. He is due to remain ''for the foreseeable future''.
Polish Senate
Also in June of this year, under the patronage of the Polish Senate, the chaplaincy helped set up a dedicated office to provide legal and social advice to Poles.
In the three months since it opened in September, the centre has advised on 300 cases of employment law, social welfare benefits, health services and the tax system.
A progress report by Polish solicitor Krystian Boino said, ''10 to 15 per cent of people visiting our centre ask what should be done before returning to Poland.''
Mr Boino's report said the majority of the problems reported involve the aspect of social payments benefits, welfare and employment regulations.
Poland's recent economic boom has led to many emigrants returning but Poles are still Ireland's major immigrant group, numbering about 250,000.
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(Source: IC)