Seán Crowe (Dublin South West, Sinn Fein)
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143. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad met as planned on 30 March 2017; if the barriers and disproportionate burdens facing persons wishing to return home was discussed; and the solutions the committee come up with to resolve these issues. [21302/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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I can confirm that the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad met on 30 March 2017 as planned. There was good discussion on the ongoing work of the Committee to address the various barriers that have been reported as facing citizens when returning to live in Ireland. Useful discussions took place on updates provided by relevant Departments on specific issues that have been raised, and this work continues at official level. In addition, at the request of the Taoiseach an additional meeting of the Inter-departmental Committee was convened on 27 April 2017. Attendance included the Ministers for Housing, Education and Health. The Taoiseach was updated on the activities of the Committee and in particular on actions relevant Departments are taking to address any disproportionate barriers affecting returning emigrants.

As decided at the Inter-departmental Committee on the 30 March, in the coming weeks I will prepare a report for the Government on the work of the Committee, with specific focus on returning emigrants.