Letters to the Editor: Help needed for our returning diaspora

'Why is it so difficult for our young people to return home? 

The reality of returning home for many is an uphill struggle, mired in unnecessary bureaucracy. File picture: Alamy

The upcoming presidential election has brought a familiar focus to the Irish diaspora. We hear politicians extolling the virtues of those who have left our shores, celebrating their successes abroad. Yet, what about those who decide to come home? The reality for many is an uphill struggle, mired in unnecessary bureaucracy and a lack of tangible assistance. Their situation is often desperate and their hopes dashed.

My nephew recently returned from Australia after several years away. Longing for home called him back to the green pastures of rural Wexford. He had a job lined up in construction, a sector with a desperate need for skilled workers, given the housing crisis. However, his problems accumulated when he tried to have his driver’s licence reinstated on the National Driver Licence Service (NDLS).