Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 13 December 2022
168. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the extent to which he and his Department can encourage the return of Irish immigrants currently based abroad with a view to meeting the workplace shortages; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [62312/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department is working closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs and its Embassy network, as well as other Departments of State, to implement the Government’s Diaspora Strategy, Global Ireland- Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025, which was launched in late 2020. The Department of Foreign Affairs leads on the implementation of this strategy.
Global Ireland sets out a number of actions to strengthen our connections with diaspora communities and to harness the contribution from the diaspora to support our economy, including through the promotion and facilitating the return of Irish emigrants.
The strategy recognises how returning emigrants bring with them skills and knowledge gained abroad that can help develop both the national and local economies. To support this, the Government also recognises the need to minimise the challenges faced by individuals and families returning to Ireland. The strategy commits to a number of actions to support the return of members of the diaspora.
These include monitoring barriers to return and adopting measures to remove them where possible; the negotiation of reciprocal agreements with countries that are home to significant Irish diaspora communities, such as double taxation and social security agreements; improvement of the provision of information on returning to Ireland and providing information for Irish citizens living overseas, including the dissemination of information on skills needs; and the expansion of mutual recognition and the portability of academic or professional qualifications earned overseas.
