The Government remains committed to supporting the Irish diaspora, including those who wish to return home. The Programme for Government contains multiple commitments around returning and returned emigrants, both in relation to administrative issues such as driving licences and PPS numbers, as well as the commitment to develop a new Diaspora Strategy.
Reducing administrative barriers faced by those who wish to return to Ireland is a central priority of the current Diaspora Strategy. The Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair, progresses work on this issue, by bringing together representatives of key government departments and external stakeholders, who we work with closely.
Through the Emigrant Support Programme, the Department provides annual funding to Crosscare and Safe Home, both of which assist returning emigrants, as well as the Citizens' Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal, which provides a wide range of practical information and advice for returning emigrants. For those who wish to start their own business, the Department funds the Back for Business initiative, which provides peer guidance to early stage entrepreneurs who have returned, or plan to return, to Ireland.
In line with the Programme for Government commitment to develop our next Diaspora Strategy, I am leading an extensive consultation process with our diaspora both in person and online. The aim of this process is to ensure that the next strategy can reflect the needs of the global Irish community, including those who are in the process of returning. I have hosted over twenty in-person consultations with Irish communities around the world, as well as a large-scale online consultation, which received over 10,000 responses. These discussions offered an opportunity to respondents to share their views which will feed directly into the new strategy.
