Brian Walsh (Galway West, Independent)
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408. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of certificates of Irish heritage issued in each calendar year since the introduction of the scheme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [6661/15]

Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)
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Since the Certificate of Irish Heritage was introduced in September 2011, 3,029 Certificates have been issued – 149 in 2011, 1,317 in 2012, 1,172 in 2013 and 391 in 2014. This overall figure includes 283 promotional Certificates presented to various individuals since 2011.

With the vast majority of the global diaspora not eligible for Irish citizenship, the Certificate of Irish Heritage was introduced to recognise descendents of previous generations of Irish citizens in an official way and to give greater practical expression to the sense of Irish identity felt by many around the world. It is very clear from the positive reaction of those who have received a Certificate how much their heritage means to them.

My Department will continue to work with Fexco, who operate the programme on our behalf, to promote the Certificate of Irish Heritage around the world.