Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein)
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165. To ask the Taoiseach the categories of funding available to local authorities through his Department; and the amount of funding provided for each scheme in 2016 and 2017. [43737/18]

Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael)
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In 2016 the Department of the Taoiseach supported the Minister for the Diaspora in overseeing implementation of a national diaspora strategy. Funding was provided to Local Authorities for the development of strong diaspora links at local and community level in order to benefit local and regional development.

The Local Diaspora Strategy Development Fundwas open to all Local Authorities to invest in developing strategies for diaspora engagement at local and community level. A maximum of €10,000 was available for each of the 31 local authorities. 24 local authorities availed of funding under this scheme at a cost of €240,000.

In 2017 the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade took over responsibility for local diaspora initiatives.