Written answer
Diaspora Issues
Ireland launched its 2026–2030 Diaspora Strategy, featuring 23 commitments to support vulnerable citizens, cultural ties, emigrants, returnees and economic networks.
74. Deputy Cormac Devlin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade for an update on the new diaspora strategy. [68960/26]
Comment on this
I am pleased to inform the Deputy that I launched 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 and has been warmly welcomed by our communities overseas.
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 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.
Since May, I have had the opportunity to launch and promote the strategy in Luton, New York and Ottawa and will host the Asian launch in Hong Kong in November during the Asian Gaelic Games.
We are also regularly approached by other countries and international organisations seeking to enhance their engagement with their own diasporas and are open to sharing our experiences.
Work is well underway on delivering on a number of the commitments set out in the strategy and I will publish an Action Plan for the strategy in the period ahead.