Ciarán Cannon (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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103. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the way that he proposes to action the commitment to reaching "our next generation", as outlined in the diaspora strategy. [57746/22]

Colm Brophy (Dublin South West, Fine Gael)
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The Government's Diaspora Strategy, 2020-2025, sets out our vision for engaging with the Irish diaspora, including reaching the next generation.

This ongoing commitment is reflected in my work as Minister for the Diaspora.

In January, I will launch the 2023 Emigrant Support Programme, with engagement with the next generation a key objective. We will continue to apply a ‘Youth lens’ when assessing funding applications and will ask Missions to actively seek out youth engagement initiatives for potential funding.

We are already reaching the next generation through organisations receiving Emigrant Support Funding.

Our annual funding to the GAA’s Global Games Development Fund reaches young people worldwide. We have also provided capital funding for GAA facilities, as I saw recently in Chicago's Gaelic Park, an impressive facility. The GAA plays a vital role in connecting with next generations. I am happy to support them.

We continue to support Irish studies programmes, with our support more than doubling in 2022, with the establishment of new Chairs of Irish Studies, and the development of lectures series and visiting professorships.

The emigrant centres which we support also engage with younger generations. I saw this recently when I visited Liverpool Irish Centre and the Chicago Irish American Heritage Centre. The people running these centres do wonderful work to keep the next generation connected.

During the pandemic, much of our focus was on helping Irish communities overseas but implementation of the recommendations of the Diaspora Strategy has remained a top priority.

We have made good progress in that regard and this important work will continue, including on our commitment to enriched engagement with the next generation.