Irish Government publishes new diaspora strategy

THE Minister of State for International Development and Diaspora, Neale Richmond TD, recently published the Irish Government’s new Diaspora Strategy.

Development of the strategy was underpinned by the largest ever consultation undertaken with the diaspora, including the first ever online consultation—the Global Irish Survey—which ran through the summer of 2025 and received more than 10,000 responses.

The strategy reaffirms the government’s commitment to deepen the ties and bonds between Ireland and the Irish abroad. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) will remain at the core of the government’s engagement, with €17.5m allocated in 2026 to support Irish communities abroad.

Based on almost a year of extensive consultations led by Minister Richmond, the strategy sets out 23 commitments built around the challenges and opportunities shared with us during the consultation process. An Action Plan for the commitments will be published in the period ahead.

This is Ireland’s third diaspora strategy and sets out the priority areas for engagement with the Irish abroad over the next five years.

“Building on what we heard during the most extensive consultations ever undertaken with our diaspora, supporting the most vulnerable remains at the heart of the 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,” Minister Richmond said. “The strategy also 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 experiences in support of accessing new markets, securing foreign direct investment and driving job creation and innovation.

“This government recognises the importance and value of engaging with the Irish abroad. Our new strategy shares the underlying commitment of our earlier strategies to deepen the bonds between Ireland and the Irish abroad.

“As the nature and patterns of emigration change, the commitment to ensure we strengthen our engagement with newer generations is particularly important so that Irish communities around the world remain strong and vibrant in the years ahead.

“It is very welcome to see around 30,000 Irish citizens returning on an annual basis bringing with them experiences of living overseas. The strategy recognises the need to reduce the administrative barriers some are facing and I will continue to work with those who advocate on their behalf to address challenges such as driving licence recognition, social welfare, PPS numbers, and motor insurance for returning emigrants.

“I am committed to building an enduring relationship with the Irish abroad and ensuing those who emigrated have access to a strong system of supports and networks and can contribute to deepening social, cultural and economic connections with Ireland.”

The new strategy was launched at the Fourth Global Irish Civic Forum in Croke Park at the start of May (above). The forum is an integral element of the government’s engagement with Irish communities abroad and will bring together 250 people from 21 countries.

Speaking ahead of the forum, Minister Richmond added: “I am looking forward to hosting the Global Irish Civic Forum and to meeting diaspora representatives who have travelled from across the world for two days of discussions on how we can deepen ties between Ireland and the diaspora. Many of those attending made substantive contributions to the new strategy and we will now work together to deliver the strategy’s 23 commitments.”

Details of the strategy and the Global Irish Civic Forum can be found on the Irish Government’s website at: www.ireland.ie/en/ irish-diaspora/diaspora-strategy-2026-2030/ and also: www.ireland.ie/en/irish-diaspora/ global-irish-civic-forum