The flood of Irish students who came to Germany each summer during the 1980's has dwindled to a trickle in recent years as the economic news from Europe's powerhouse economy has grown steadily worse. Economic recession, the high cost of reunification and record unemployment have wiped out many of the summer jobs once available to students from abroad.

The opening of Germany's borders to the east has released a huge supply of cheap labour from Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic, much to the delight of struggling employers in eastern cities such as Berlin. Until last year, many Irish students could find work on building sites in Berlin but, with most large-scale projects now close to completion, the outlook has become much more bleak.

Munich has long been the favourite destination for Irish students, not least because the tourist industry creates numerous, casual jobs. According to Fr Thomas Healy, who runs Munich's English-speaking parish of St Kilian's, job prospects have improved slightly this year.

"If they haven't got jobs before they come, I wouldn't encourage them to come. But if they're here already, they'll probably get something. The beer gardens have taken on a lot of students this year. But it's very weather conditioned. If the weather is fine, they earn a lot. If it's not, they don't," he said.

Although Fr Healy insists that St Kilian's is not a youth hostel or a job agency, the parish has helped thousands of young Irish people to find their feet in Germany over the past decade. "It's gone down a lot because people have heard about the jobs crisis in Germany. It's been very difficult in recent years.

So many were coming without jobs and accommodation and it became quite a problem. We tell the m about registering, advise them on accommodation and put them in touch with job agencies or with people like BMW or the beer gardens where they might get work," he said.

Big companies such as Siemens and BMW take on some temporary staff during the summer but most of these jobs must be arranged before leaving Ireland. For the overwhelming majority of students who arrive without a job or accommodation, hotels may offer the best prospects.

Most jobs in city centre hotels tend to be snapped up quickly but smaller establishments some distance outside Munich are often in need of extra staff. Cleaning agencies and Irish pubs sometimes take on staff who do not speak German but Fr Healy believes that some knowledge of the language is now almost essential for those seeking work in Germany.

"If they're picking up bottles in a beer garden, it doesn't matter. But it helps a great deal to have a knowledge of German," he said. He suggests writing a one-page CV in German to distribute to prospective employers and warns job-seekers not to expect that everyone they meet will speak English.

Finding accommodation is often a bigger problem than getting a job, not least because most landlords prefer tenants who are staying for at least a year. A one room flat with kitchen and bathroom costs about £300 per month and landlords usually demand a deposit of more than £400.

Flats are usually unfurnished and the rent does not include charges for gas or electricity. Many Irish students sub-let flats from German students who are leaving Munich for the summer, either through the university's accommodation agency or directly from students they meet casually.

At more than £12 per night, youth hostels are an expensive option and many students choose to spend the summer in tents at vast campsites such as Talkirchen, a favourite among the Irish. "When the weather is nice, it's like a holiday camp. But when it's raining, there's a very different atmosphere," warns Fr Healy.

Even if camping is sometimes uncomfortable, it is generally very safe and parents of students heading for Germany need have few fears for their security. According to Fr Healy, many Irish students are surprised by how safe they feel in Munich.

"They find Munich much safer than Dublin, Cork, Limerick or Galway. They can walk around late in the evenings and use the UBahn without any fear of being attacked," he said.

In fact, the risks involved in coming to Germany for the summer are relatively small, even without a job or accommodation arranged in advance. Fr Healy says that most of those who come find their feet after a few weeks and those who have difficulties usually cut their losses before it is too late.

"They tend to come well prepared and if they find they are not getting a job, they go home. They all have return tickets," he said.