Written answers

Thursday, 10 July 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diaspora Issues

Photo of Cormac DevlinCormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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63. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade he timeframe for developing a new diaspora strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37911/25]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, work is underway on preparing the development of the new Diaspora Strategy to succeed our current strategy which expires at the end of this year.

I am keen to understand the issues affecting long-standing emigrants, newer arrivals, second and third generations and those in under-represented communities so that our new strategy meets the needs of our global Irish communities and can adapt to evolving circumstances.

As part of this process, I have undertaken a series of in-person engagements with diaspora communities across the world. To date, I have met with representatives of the Irish community in Nairobi, Brussels, Boston, Philadelphia, Manchester, Glasgow and, earlier this week, in London. In June, I also had discussions with Oireachtas members in Iveagh House and in the weeks and months ahead, I will host sessions in the Middle East, across the US and Canada and here at home.

In order to we hear from as many voices as possible and can reflect the diversity and values of our contemporary diaspora, I also launched the first ever on-line consultation with the Irish Abroad: the Global Irish Survey, on 7 July in London.

We intend to launch the new Strategy at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026 and I look forward to updating the house in the months ahead on its development.

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