Aindrias Moynihan (Cork North-West, Fianna Fail)
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16. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the steps she is taking to address the concerns of returning Irish emigrants who find it difficult to access public services; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66421/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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The Government remains committed to facilitating an easier return for our citizens abroad, including access to public services. The Programme for Government contains specific commitments in this regard, relating to PPS numbers and driving licences, as well as the commitment to develop a new diaspora strategy.

Work on the new diaspora strategy is already underway, and as part of its development, I hosted over twenty in-person consultations with Irish communities around the world, as well as a large-scale online consultation. These discussions offered an opportunity to respondents to share their views on the barriers faced by returning emigrants, which will feed directly into the new strategy.

Reducing administrative barriers faced by those who wish 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 external stakeholders, who we work with closely on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.

Access to driving licences is another issue that has come up regularly. Ireland currently allows licence exchanges with 21 jurisdictions, including Australia, New Zealand, United Kingdom and seven Canadian provinces. As exchange agreements with the US have to be concluded on a State by State basis, our focus initially is on those states with a significant Irish population. Engagement is currently underway with New York State.

To ensure citizens have access to the relevant information, we fund the Citizens’ Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal, which contains a wide range of very practical information and advice for returning emigrants. Furthermore, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide support and guidance to returning Irish emigrants.