Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 June 2015
146. Deputy Dominic Hannigan asked the Taoiseach if he will provide details on the work of the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad; the number of meetings held to date; the work programme for 2015; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25981/15]
View answerKey elements of the Diaspora Strategy which was published in March of this year, include further welfare support for the diaspora; measures to deepen connections with the diaspora and facilitate further diaspora engagement as well as continued recognition of organisations and people who engage with the diaspora and also support for further research on diaspora policy.
Some recent actions include the convening of the first ever Global Irish Civic Forum, held in Dublin Castle recently, and the announcement of a Local Diaspora Engagement Fund for grants for community organisations in Ireland to connect with their diasporas.
An Interdepartmental Committee on Diaspora Policy, chaired by Minister for the Diaspora, Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD, was established to work on the delivery of the Diaspora Policy to ensure a cross-departmental approach, and examine issues affecting the Irish abroad and those seeking to return.
The committee has met once since the Strategy was published, on 11 March, 2015, and they are scheduled to meet again on 9 July. They will meet on a quarterly basis and will report periodically to Government on progress. The Committee will review the implementation of the diaspora policy after two years.
The following departments and agencies are represented on the committee: Department of Agriculture, Food and Marine; Department of Arts, Heritage and the Gaeltacht; Department of Children and Youth Affairs; Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources; Department of Defence; Department of Education and Skills; Department of Environment, Community and Local Government; Department of Finance; Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade; Department of Health; Department of Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation; Department of Justice and Equality; Department of Social Protection; Department of the Taoiseach; Department of Transport, Tourism and Sport; Office of Public Works; Office of the Revenue Commissioners; Bord Bia; Enterprise Ireland; IDA Ireland; Science Foundation Ireland; Tourism Ireland.
