Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 October 2025
105. Deputy Michael Cahill asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the engagement and supports his Department provides for emigrants seeking to return to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57053/25]
Amharc ar fhreagra134. Deputy Peter Roche asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the measures his Department is taking to support young Irish emigrants who wish to return home, given the practical difficulties many face in securing housing, employment, and basic documentation on their return; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [57136/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 105 and 134 together.
In line with the commitments in the Programme for Government, I am committed to facilitating the easier return to Ireland for our diaspora.
I am currently hosting a series of consultations with Irish communities around the world to inform our new diaspora strategy. As part of these discussions, I always ensure that time is provided for those considering retuning home, so I can hear their experiences first hand. These in-person engagements have been supplemented by an online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, which also asked participants for any views they have on returning to Ireland. These are important discussion and the views will feed into our new strategy.
Even ahead of our new strategy, we are focused on supporting those who wish to come home.
Through the Emigrant Support Programme, we fund the Citizens’ Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal, which contains a wide range of very practical information and advice for returning emigrants. Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide information and support to returning Irish emigrants.
We also fund Back for Business, an initiative we established to support and guide Irish entrepreneurs who have returned, or plan to return, to Ireland.
Through the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which I chair, we also work closely with other departments on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.
Driving Licence exchange is another issue that comes up regularly. Ireland currently allows licence exchanges with 21 jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and seven Canadian provinces. As such agreements with the US have to bee concluded on a State by State basis, our focus initially is on those states with a significant Irish population. Engagement is currently underway with New York State.
I am also pleased to see that some private insurance companies are now offering specialised motor insurance cover policies for returning emigrants, which is an issue that has been raised with me in the past.
