Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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82. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update as of July 2025 on the programme for Government commitment to develop a new diaspora strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42445/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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Work is under way on the development of a new Diaspora Strategy for 2026-2031, in line with commitments in the Programme for Government. This will 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 London. I also held a round table discussion on the matter with Oireachtas members in Iveagh House in June.

In the coming months, I will meet with communities in the UAE, US and Canada as well as with key stakeholders based in Ireland later in the end of the year.

To ensure we hear from as many voices as possible and can reflect the diversity and values of our contemporary diaspora, I launched the first ever on-line consultation with the Irish Abroad: the Global Irish Survey, on 7 July in London. The survey which can be found on Ireland.ie can be completed by both individuals and community organisations, and is open until the end of August.

The response to these consultations to date has been positive and the insights shared are actively shaping our thinking on the new strategy which we intend to launch at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April 2026.

Eoghan Kenny (Cork North-Central, Labour)
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83. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update as of July 2025 on the programme for Government commitment to work to facilitate the easier return to Ireland for emigrants, including reciprocal driving licence arrangements with the USA, Australia and Canada; the position regarding the creation of a one-stop-support service to assist with obtaining PPS numbers and other administrative issues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42446/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the diaspora and ensuring there are supports in place to assist our all emigrants including those considering returning home.

Working to reduce barriers for emigrants wishing to return to Ireland is a central priority for the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad, which I chair. The Committee consists of representatives of key government departments and Irish NGOs working with the diaspora and provides a valuable forum for addressing a number of the administrative hurdles facing returning emigrants.

In relation to driving Ireland licenses, Ireland now has 21 reciprocal driving license agreements including with Australia and seven Canadian provinces.

In the case of the US, exchange agreements have to be agreed at the State level. Preparatory work is underway ahead of engaging with US states on this matter and I am working closely with Minister O'Brien on the matter. Our focus initially will be on those states with a significant Irish population.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade also funds the Returning to Ireland portal on the Citizens Information website. This site provides a wealth of useful information on the administrative aspects of returning home and I would recommend it to anyone considering moving to Ireland.