Policy and Research

• Presentation to the Joint Committee on Foreign Affairs and Defence on barriers facing returning Irish emigrants, alongside the Coalition of Irish Immigration Centers (USA).

• ‘Exploring migration experiences of Irish emigrants of minority ethnic backgrounds’ report is the first study to offer insights into the contemporary emigration experiences of Irish emigrants of various ethnic backgrounds currently living abroad or recently returned from living abroad.

Ni neart go cur le cheile report examined the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the Irish emigrant community in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States through the experiences and perspectives of the Irish emigrant support organisations.

• Research on ‘Life in the UAE for new Irish emigrants’ published following outreach visit to the United Arab Emirates.

• Results of an online survey of current and prospective Irish emigrants to the United Kingdom explored ‘What impact is Brexit having on Irish migration?’

• Submission made to Diaspora Policy 2020-2025 addressing key areas– including accessible, targeted, and strategic support to connect, engage, recognise, and facilitate Global Irish communities abroad.

• ‘Coming Home in Crisis’ studied the impact of return on emigrants who face risk or vulnerability, setting out recommendations to address the range of challenges they encounter on return.

• De Facto Pre-Clearance process established for Irish citizens returning with non-EU/EEA citizen partners, following ongoing engagement with the Department of Justice.

• ‘A Hundred Thousand Welcomes?’ report published highlighting the re-emergence of the Habitual Residence Condition as an obstacle for returned Irish emigrants.

• Submission on impact of proposed pension reforms on Irish emigrants made to the Department of Social Protection’s Consultation on the Total Contributions Approach for State Pensions.

• Presentation to the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection on the re-emergence of the Habitual Residence Condition as a barrier in access to social welfare payments for returned Irish emigrants.

‘Home for Good’ report published. Based on a survey of 400 Irish emigrants, it details the experiences of recently returned emigrants and outlines challenges they faced upon return.

This formed the basis of our submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs commissioned ‘Indecon Economic Report on Addressing Challenges Faced by Returning Irish Emigrants’ published in 2018 which includes a number of our recommendations, including:

• Improved Procedures for Housing for Vulnerable Returning Emigrants

• Develop Pre-Clearance/Online De Facto Visa Applications

• Ensure Consistency in Application of Habitual Residence Condition Guidelines

• Research into the challenges for ‘Fly-in-fly-out’ (FIFO) workers in Australia published with the help of Irish support organisations in Australia. Printed resource for Irish emigrants considering FIFO created for distribution by Irish Consular Services and community groups in Australia.

• ‘Barriers for returning Irish emigrants accessing homeless supports’ briefing paper submitted to Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development Joe McHugh TD and the Interdepartmental Committee on the Diaspora.

• ‘Irish emigrant perspectives on emigration’ report compiled in collaboration with the GAA on welfare experiences of Irish emigrants.

‘Mind How You Go’ report published on recent emigration from Ireland, based on a survey of 500 Irish emigrants.

• Submission to the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade ‘Review of Ireland’s Engagement with the Diaspora’ including recommendations on voting rights for citizens abroad, a new Irish Emigrant Register, promoting collaboration amongst Emigrant Support Programme-funded groups, access to homeless services for citizens returning in crisis (particularly deportees), consistent application of the Habitual Residence Condition, and family reunification for citizens returning with non-EU/EEA family members.

• ‘What is Canada Like?’ research published on the experiences of Irish working holiday participants.

Survey explored emigration by bus to Britain for the purposes of employment, focusing on emigration prompted by crisis

Department of Social Protection changed Habitual Residence Condition Operational Guidelines for Deciding Officers  to include specific reference to how returning Irish emigrants are assessed for social welfare payments, based on our recommendations to Minister for Social Protection Éamon Ó Cuív TD.

Presentation to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Social and Family Affairs on the implications of the Habitual Residence Condition for returning Irish emigrants.