Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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The well-being of Irish communities and Irish people abroad is at the centre of the Government's diaspora support and a key objective of both my Department’s Statement of Strategy and Global Ireland: Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025.

The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), established in 2004, provides grants to support Irish communities across the world and is central to the Government’s commitment to achieving this objective. The 2024 ESP grant round will open for applications next January, with an initial budget allocation of €15.395 million, the highest ever. This is very fitting, as we prepare to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of the programme.

While the ESP supports a wide range of projects, the funding of frontline welfare services is still the single largest element of the Programme, with projects funded ranging from large welfare support programmes in cities with traditionally large Irish communities such as New York, Boston, London and Sydney, to smaller events run by Irish community organisations other parts of the world.

The Government remains committed to the continued support and development of projects to provide advice and assistance for the Irish abroad who are in distress, struggling to cope as a result of cost of living pressures or who are in need of emotional support, along with those in particularly vulnerable groups such as those detained abroad, survivors of institutional abuse and members of the Traveller community.

My Department also provides significant funding to a number of organisations based in Ireland, including Crosscare and Safe Home, to support returning emigrants in crisis , as well as support to the Samaritans to provide 24-hour Freephone access to their helpline in Ireland for Irish people abroad.

The Government recognises that a holistic approach to the well-being of our Diaspora works best and substantial support is also provided from the ESP to sporting, cultural and heritage organisations such as the GAA and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, which play such an important role in keeping our communities abroad connected to each other and to Ireland.