Written answer
Diaspora Issues
14. Deputy Grace Boland asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the status of the diaspora strategy; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37311/26]
Comment on this
The Government recognises the importance of engaging with the Irish abroad and that maintaining an enduring relationship with the diaspora is as significant as ever to our national identity.
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I launched the Ireland’s third Diaspora Strategy covering the period 2026-2030 at the Global Irish Civic Forum on the 30th of April. Its publication delivers on the commitment set out in the Programme for Government.
In developing our new strategy, I led the largest ever consultation with the Irish abroad, including over 27 in-person meetings, and the first ever online consultation, the Global Irish Survey, which ran throughout the summer of 2025. The purpose of these consultations was to listen to our communities overseas about their needs in a changing world.
The outcome of this extensive consultation process is a strategy that sets out 23 commitments built around the challenges and opportunities that were shared with us.
Supporting the most vulnerable remains at the heart of this new strategy, as is our commitment to partner with Irish communities overseas to promote our culture, music, identity and sport, and to showcase the values of a modern and diverse Ireland to a global audience. We also address the particular challenges facing those who are considering emigrating, those who are newly arrived abroad and those looking to return.
The strategy recognises the real appetite among the diaspora for supporting our trade and economic priorities. We will step up our engagements to embrace these influential networks and vital insights in support of accessing new markets, securing Foreign Direct Investment and driving job creation and innovation.
Our new strategy provides a roadmap for the next chapter of deepening ties between Ireland and the diaspora. I will publish an Action Plan for delivering on its commitments in the period ahead.