THE IRISH Government has revealed plans for a national centre for the Irish abroad – but has said it doesn’t have the money to build it.
Up to £21.4million is to be spent on the new National Diaspora Centre to recognise the huge number of Irish people who have left Ireland in search of a better life, including thousands who came to Britain.
Tourism Minister Leo Varadkar said the Irish State will not be able to fund the project because exchequer funds remain “extremely constrained”.
Instead his Department will work with Fáilte Ireland to gauge interest in the project and find potential partners to fund it.
The announcement comes after the Government approved a study into the project by Fáilte Ireland.
The report concluded that such a centre has the potential to be a major tourist attraction, particularly for the Irish abroad.
“The work done by Fáilte Ireland suggests that it should tell the story of the Irish diaspora overseas. It should also tell the story of how Irish people view the world,” Mr Varadkar added.
“There will also be a different story about how Irish emigration changed Ireland over the years and that is the kind of place we want it to be in. This is going to be something unique.”
Fáilte Ireland said its report came as there was “growing recognition of the importance of the Irish diaspora in the cultural, political and economic development of Ireland”.
The Department of Tourism said a Fáilte Ireland study in 2013 concluded that a National Diaspora Centre would boost Ireland’s tourism offering and have a particularly strong appeal for the Irish abroad.
“However, it would also have to be of interest to people living in Ireland as well, and to overseas visitors who do not have an Irish heritage, in order to be viable,” a spokesperson added.
The Fáilte Ireland study found that the centre’s costs could range from €5million (£4.1million) to €26million (£21.4million) depending on its location and whether or not a new building is required.
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