It is estimated that some 20,000 people will be returning to the north-west from abroad at some point over the holiday period and a campaign has been launched to find the would-be entrepreneurs among them.
"We want you back," is the direct message in advertisements placed in local newspapers by Enterprise Ireland, aimed at people who have business ideas with serious potential.
Enterprise Ireland is holding information days in counties Sligo, Donegal and Leitrim over the Christmas holidays.
Mr Barry Egan, director of Enterprise Ireland in the northwest, says the point of the campaign is to let people know that there has never been a better time to start a business in Ireland.
Financial incentives, some specifically geared at Irish people returning home, are available. Other factors in favour of locating in the north-west include the availability of an educated workforce, continually improving infrastructure and lower house prices, Mr Egan says.
"The people we are thinking of may already have a business in the country where they are living now, or they may have a business idea with serious growth potential," he says.
The type of enterprises they want to support would employ 10 people within three years and would have to be in the manufacturing or internationally traded services sector.
Information packs will be available from Enterprise Ireland and confidential interviews can also be arranged in Dublin or elsewhere for those who would rather not go to the local Enterprise Ireland office.
"We are looking for people with ideas and drive who can compete not just nationally but internationally."
Mr Egan says they would be delighted if they could get even two or three new businesses out of the campaign, which is being run on a pilot basis this year.
Information days are being held in Sligo on Tuesday December 28th, Letterkenny on Wednesday 29th and Co Leitrim on Thursday 30th.
Information from Brian O'Malley at Enterprise Ireland, tel. 071-61219; e-mail: brian.omalley@enterprise-ireland.com