Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 February 2026
283. Deputy Duncan Smith asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the financial supports provided to Irish citizens listed for deportation from the United States; the amount spent to repatriate and support Irish people scheduled for deportation in each year from 2020 to date; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [12510/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department provides consular assistance to Irish citizens in difficulty abroad within the remit of our Consular Assistance Charter. The Charter sets out in a clear and accessible manner the type of assistance citizens can expect to receive should they require assistance. The provision of consular assistance is a cornerstone of the work of my Department. I place a strong emphasis on ensuring that citizens receive empathetic, timely and appropriate assistance at all times. In accordance with the Charter, my Department does not offer financial supports to Irish citizens, including those listed for deportation from the United States.
The assistance my Department provides on a deportation, like with any other case, will depend on the individual circumstances of that case. Assistance can include, for example, facilitating communication between the citizen and their family, engaging with the relevant local authorities, providing a list of lawyers, or sharing information on the deportation process with family members. This is not an exhaustive list and each case is considered on a case-by-case basis.
Addressing the situation of undocumented Irish emigrants in the United States, and working to secure legal pathways for Irish people seeking to live and work in the US continues to be important for the Government.
Our diplomatic network across the US works closely with a number of partner organisations and immigration centres supporting Irish immigrants to the US and provides consular assistance, for example, to those affected by deportations.
These organisations are provided with support under the Government’s Emigrant Support Programme. Last year, the Government provided over €4.5 million to Irish organisations in the United States, including for the provision of immigration advice, in the form of trusted information, legal resources and support for those seeking to regularise their immigration status.
I want to reassure the Deputy that my officials stand ready to provide all possible consular assistance to Irish citizens who get into difficulty abroad.
