As many as 100,000 non-nationals left Ireland during 2008 in an exodus that was three times worse than predicted.

Although immigrant numbers remain at record levels, new figures show that the recession is driving people away from this country.

Integration Minister Conor Lenihan said the new shortfall in jobs is leading to "tensions" among jobseekers.

He said the fact that Irish people are now competing for low-skills jobs with non-nationals is creating potential for friction between different ethic groups.

In the first ten months of the year, almost 140,000 new PPS numbers were issued to non-nationals, suggesting that there is still a surplus entering the country.

Drop

However, this is about 50,000 fewer than were issued to non-nationals last year.

Figures issued earlier this year suggested that there was a 55pc drop in PPS numbers issued to Romanians, a 43pc fall among Polish migrants, 40pc less coming from Lithuanian and a 36pc fall-off in Slovakians.

And the number leaving is far higher than predicted by the Economic and Social Research Institute (ERSI), which forecasted that just 35,000 immigrants would go elsewhere looking for work.

Notifying TDs of the new PPS numbers issued, Minister Lenihan wrote: "Given these figures, the integration of immigrants remains a significant challenge."

However, he has now said that even though the figures suggest the immigrant population grew by more than 40,000, this may not be the case.

He has noted that some people come to Ireland but leave again soon after and that not all who come are seeking work.

"The PPS numbers indicate that there are still people coming, despite the downturn," Minister Lenihan said.

"Irish people haven't been competing for jobs in the hotels and hospitality sector, but now, because of redundancies, they are beginning to appear and seek work in less skilled employment, such as retail counters or waiting on tables. They are competing.

"There is potential for tension because people project their anger on to ethnic groups when they see their friends, uncles and aunts losing their jobs," he said.

Inquiry

"You tend to have that pattern, by international evidence. It's not defined that it's going to happen in Ireland, but we have to guard against it."

An inquiry is now under way to find out how many PPS numbers issued to non-nationals are still active.

It is believed nearly one-in-five people receiving dole payments is a non-national. Some 44,600 people from overseas are on the Live Registrar, a 68pc increase between January and October.

Immigrants make up an estimated 12pc of the population.

Non-Irish people fill 15pc of all jobs and 10pc of primary school children are from immigrant families.

- Kevin Doyle