Written answers

Tuesday, 29 July 2025

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Diaspora Issues

Photo of Cormac DevlinCormac Devlin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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110. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the extent of his Department’s engagement with the Irish diaspora, including any planned reforms to the Emigrant Support Programme; the annual budget allocated to diaspora affairs from 2020 to 2025; the number of staff assigned to diaspora outreach in Dublin and at mission level over the same period; whether additional resourcing is being considered to meet the evolving needs of Irish communities overseas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43367/25]

Photo of Neale RichmondNeale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains committed to deepening our ties with the global Irish and supporting them to build diverse and dynamic communities overseas.

Our work is underpinned by the Emigrant Support Programme (ESP), which is overseen by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Since its establishment in 2004, the ESP will, by the end of this year, have provided over €265 million to 900 organisations in 51 countries.

Caring for the elderly and most vulnerable Irish emigrants remains at the heart of the ESP, with the majority of funding granted to culturally sensitive frontline welfare services. The programme also invests in projects that foster a sense of community, nurture our identity and culture overseas and deepen our trade, business and education links.

The programme allocation assigned to support the diaspora for the years 2020 - 2025 can be found in the table below. However, it should be noted that our embassies and consulates abroad also provide support our overseas communities including substantial in-kind support such as hosting and promoting events and activities. , A range of other government departments and agencies also provide support.

We continue to keep the operation of the ESP under review including through ongoing engagement with stakeholders. In 2023, we introduced the Small Grants scheme to streamline the application and reporting process for smaller projects. This innovation was a direct response to feedback from grantees and has been warmly welcomed.

The Government's Diaspora Strategy is coordinated by the Irish Abroad Unit in the Department of Foreign Affairs where currently 18 staff are assigned. However, given the strong commitment to supporting our communities overseas set out set out in the Global Island strategy, our regional strategies and the Diaspora Strategy, all our embassies and consulates engage with, and support the Irish abroad.

The need for any additional resourcing and support may be considered in light of the new Diaspora Strategy which is currently being developed and will be launched at the Global Irish Civic Forum in April of next year.

PROGRAMME BUDGET

Year Total Original Budget
2020 €13,195,000
2021 €13,693,800
2022 €13,423,000
2023 €14,893,000
2024 €16,493,000
2025 €16,495,000

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