Naoise Ó Cearúil (Kildare North, Fianna Fail)
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90. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to consider establishing a one-stop shop to assist returning Irish citizens in addressing practical issues such as driver’s licence changes, Revenue matters and record transfers; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [66646/25]

Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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In line with commitments in the Programme for Government, I am committed to facilitating the easier return to Ireland for our diaspora.

Through the Emigrant Support Programme, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trace funds the Citizens' Information Board's "Returning to Ireland" portal. This portal contains a wide range of practical information and advice for returning emigrants, including on issues such as driving licences and personal finances. Furthermore, the Department also works closely with partners such as Crosscare and Safe Home, who provide information to returning Irish emigrants.

The Department also funds Back for Business, an initiative to support and guide early stage entrepreneurs who have returned, or plan to return, to Ireland.

In recent months I have hosted a series of consultations with Irish communities around the world to inform the development of the Government's next Diaspora Strategy. These in-person consultations have been supplemented by an online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, which ran throughout the summer, and asked participants for any views they may have on barriers to returning to Ireland. These discussions will inform the development of the strategy.

Finally, through the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad which I chair, we also work closely with other departments on specific issues such as access to PPS numbers and the criteria around habitual residence in areas such as social protection and housing.