Returning Irish face hurdles: Mayo TD Alan Dillon calls for action

A Mayo TD, has drawn attention to the challenges faced by returning immigrants in Dáil Éireann. 

Deputy Alan Dillon raised this issue ‘which affects many expatriates returning home, in light of the recent allocation of €750,000 to a scheme designed to encourage Irish construction workers overseas to return home amidst the current labour shortage in the industry’.

He further elaborated on the difficulties faced by Irish citizens who have been abroad for five-15 years abroad. They are encountering ‘significant challenges in accessing banking services, exchanging driving licenses, securing housing assistance, availing of childcare facilities, and even procuring motor or health insurance’.

Deputy Dillon shared a real-life example of these challenges, and said: 

“Just last week, I was approached by a constituent who, after nearly 15 years in the UK, has secured a good job in her hometown. However, she is unable to open a bank account due to the absence of a utility bill in her name, she cannot reactivate her PPSN as her social services card is outdated with no online provision to update it, and finding rental properties is proving to be an insurmountable task.”

He called upon the Taoiseach and the Government to commit to evaluate, monitor, and eliminate these obstacles for Irish citizens and facilitate a ‘smooth transition back home’ for them.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar responded to these concerns, and said that up to 30,000 Irish citizens come home every year, and it can be challenging ‘If they are gone away for long periods’.

“There are things under our control that we can help with, but there are more complicated issues such as banking records, etc. But we are absolutely keen to assist our citizens who want to move home and are moving home in big numbers” the Taoiseach concluded.