Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 October 2013
8. Deputy Seán Kenny asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the number of persons that have been awarded a certificate of Irish Heritage in the years 2011, 2012 and to date in 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43384/13]
View answerSince the Certificate of Irish Heritage was introduced in September 2011, 2,123 Certificates have been purchased – 124 in 2011, 1,242 in 2012 and 757 to date in 2013. In addition, 215 promotional Certificates have been presented to various individuals during this time.With the vast majority of the global diaspora not eligible for Irish citizenship, the Certificate of Irish Heritage was introduced to recognise descendents of previous generations of Irish citizens in an official way and to give greater practical expression to the sense of Irish identity felt by many around the world. It is very clear from the positive reaction of those who have received a Certificate how much their heritage means to them. My Department will continue to work with Fexco (who operate the programme on our behalf) to promote the Certificate of Irish Heritage around the world.
