Minister for Diaspora Affairs, Mr Jimmy Deenihan TD, today started a national conversation - #hometowork – to encourage Irish people abroad to take a fresh look at returning to Ireland.

The Minister used his attendance at the Ireland’s Edge – Creativity, the Diaspora and Realising Potential conference to kick off the conversation. The conference is taking place in Dingle, as part of the well renowned music festival Other Voices, now in its 14th Year.

In his speech, the Minister reflected on the upsurge in emigration that came with the economic crisis which saw so many people of talent and energy leave these shores and emphasised that the Government wants our emigrants to be able to come back to avail of the opportunities that are now being created here at home.

Minister Deenihan said:   ‘Ireland’s Edge is a great opportunity to reach out to the Irish abroad and to showcase the creativity and innovation that has been at the heart of this country’s journey.  We want to see our emigrants returning to play their part in the rebuilding of our economy, bringing home their experience to take up some of the jobs that are now being created.  We want them back amongst their families and friends.

We want to start a national conversation with our diaspora about coming home to work.  That conversation is starting here today with #hometowork and we hope you will join with us in reaching out to our Global Irish family to make them aware of the opportunities that are now available here in Ireland.   Many people have already returned home and can now be great ambassadors for others.

This is a message that we will be promoting in the run up to, and after, Christmas when so many of our emigrants pay a return visit to their families.  In particular we will be using social media – building on the #hometowork hashtag – to drive this conversation.  Those that come home will be welcomed back - they will bring with them their new-found experience and the confidence that they have gained.’

The Minister also spoke of the important role that culture plays in building connections with our diaspora.  He congratulated the conference organisers for bringing together such a talented and diverse group of people from the business and creative communities to examine how creativity and innovation can contribute to job creation and diaspora engagement.