Peter Roche (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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25. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his plans to increase support for Irish diaspora organisations in countries where current funding levels are relatively low despite active community engagement; if targeted funding increases are being considered for such regions; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37629/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government is committed to deepening our ties with our diaspora to ensure our relationship with our global Irish communities is a dynamic one that meets their needs and can also adapt to evolving circumstances.

Central to our approach is the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which provides grants to organisations in the voluntary sector who work with our most vulnerable citizens overseas. The Programme also supports projects that nurture our cultural heritage, promote vibrant networks among the Irish abroad and provide advice for emigrants who wish to return to Ireland.

By the end of this year, the ESP will have has granted over €265 million in support of more than 850 organisations in 51 countries.

In 2024, the ESP provided grant funding to projects in 36 countries worldwide. Beyond the support provided to traditional large Irish communities across Britain, the United States of America, Canada, and Australia, ESP allocated funding support to 78 projects around the world. This ranged from the Greek-Irish Society in Athens to the Mashonaland Irish Association in Zimbabwe. In addition, the Department supported for Irish Studies programmes in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil among others.

This year the Department will allocate almost €16.5 million in support of diaspora engagement. Organisations will be informed of the outcome of the grant round later this month.

As part of my engagements on the new diaspora strategy, I am keen to hear from as many voices as possible across our diaspora including those in others from less traditional diaspora locations. I have already met with communities in Nairobi and Brussels and will be in the Middle East in September.