Call for supports for returning emigrants to Kildare
Áras Chill Dara in Naas
A call has been made for dedicated supports to help emigrants return to Kildare and secure a home, with Kildare County Council set to contact the Department of Housing regarding the matter.
Independent councillor Tom McDonnell brought forward a motion at the recent meeting of Kildare County Council proposing ‘that the council writes to the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage requesting the development of appropriate grants and funding supports to assist Irish citizens living abroad, including families and single persons, who wish to return to Ireland and secure a home in County Kildare’.
The council told the elected members that it was a matter for them to agree. After a debate, it was agreed by the chamber that the letter would be written to the Department.
Cllr McDonnell told the meeting that Irish people returning home face financial difficulties. He said he wants the Minister to take measures to “attract our own to come back”. He sought to “make it easier for them, because if they arrive in Dublin airport, there’s not the assistance there for them that is for others”.
Cllr McDonnell has attracted attention and criticism for comments made about immigrants and immigration.
Social Democrats councillor Nuala Killeen said that there are two organisations that help Irish people move back home – Crosscare and Safe Home Ireland. Both organisations provide assistance to Irish emigrants seeking to return home, including information and support around housing.
She noted that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade funds the London Irish Centre.
She said that she moved back to Ireland in 2010 after living abroad for two decades and said it’s “easy to reintegrate back into society”.
Fianna Fáil councillor Suzanne Doyle said that there are already state-supported advocacy agencies that help vulnerable people returning to Ireland, and that “when Irish people come back to the state they are afforded the same opportunities as everybody else”.
Cllr Fintan Brett also agreed with the points made about supports being available for returning Irish people.
Cllr Bill Clear expressed his support for the motion. He referred to a recent survey which found that a high percentage of young people are considering leaving Ireland.
He also praised the council’s integration office for its work in helping people coming from Ukraine to Ireland.
He said that people returning to Ireland are “running into brick walls” when it comes to insurance, housing and banking.
Cllr Clear attracted criticism earlier this year over a motion seeking a review of refugee resettlement in Kildare in the context of housing pressures. He said “we cannot house our own” and are “looking for people from other countries.”
Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme
