Written answers

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation

Emigrant Support Services

Photo of Fiona O'LoughlinFiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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29. To ask the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation her plans to facilitate the return of at least 70,000 emigrants here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [39101/16]

Photo of Mary Mitchell O'ConnorMary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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The Action Plan for Jobs is the Government’s key instruments to support job creation. Since the first Action Plan for Jobs was launched in 2012, almost 190,000 more people are at work.

My Department and agencies have a range of initiatives underway to connect with emigrants and other interested in a career in Ireland.

Enterprise Ireland has specific targets to attract entrepreneurs to Ireland and has a focused marketing programme underway in international markets in this regard. IDA Ireland actively promotes Ireland as a location for new investment. Science Foundation Ireland encourages leading researchers to move to Ireland raising Ireland's profile as a location for excellent research and career advancement.

In June 2016, I launched Tech/Life Ireland, a new national initiative to brand Ireland as a top destination to pursue a career in technology. My Department funds this new initiative, which will help attract up to 3,000 top tech professionals to Ireland each year.

I am currently working with Ministerial colleagues to develop the 2017 Action Plan for Jobs. My priority is to ensure that the Plan is ambitious and impactful and keeps us on track to deliver on this Government’s goal to help create 200,000 additional jobs by 2020 and attract back at least 70,000 emigrants from aboard.

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