Diaspora Issues

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 October 2020

Wednesday, 7 October 2020

Ceisteanna (99, 100, 101)

Pa Daly

Ceist:

99. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the interdepartmental committee on the Irish abroad. [29047/20]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

100. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the status of the reports on support for the Irish abroad for 2019 and 2020. [29048/20]

Pa Daly

Ceist:

101. Deputy Pa Daly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the establishment of an Oireachtas subcommittee dealing with issues affecting the Irish diaspora. [29049/20]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Foreign Affairs

I propose to take Questions Nos. 99 to 101, inclusive, together.

I will shortly hold a meeting of the Interdepartmental Committee on the Irish Abroad. This meeting will focus on a range of issues, including the support provided through the Government's Covid-19 Relief Fund; assistance to returning emigrants and those repatriated during the Covid crisis; and the implementation of the Government's Diaspora Strategy, which will be published in the coming weeks.

The report detailing expenditure under the Emigrant Support Programme covering the 2019-2020 grant year is currently being finalised and will be available on website of the Department. The 2020 report, covering the period July 2020 to June 2021, will be available in the second half of next year.

The establishment of a sub-committee is a matter, in the first instance, for the Oireachtas itself and for the relevant Committee to decide.