ACCORDING to the Central Statistics Office, over 35,000 Irish citizens returned to Ireland in 2025, with Britain remaining the main source for people considering a move back, but it's not always as easy to come as it is to go. 

Karen McHugh, CEO of Safe Home Ireland, said her charity directly helped 2,263 people to return to secure accommodation.

"We currently have just under 300 active housing applicants across the 26 counties," Ms McHugh said. "Our numbers keep on going up every year."

Established in 2000, Safe Home Ireland provides information, housing assistance and practical support to Irish people living abroad who are considering returning to Ireland.

While the charity was originally created to help the elderly who wanted to come home and were in need of housing, its work has grown over the past quarter century.

"We are a national charity with a global remit," Ms McHugh said.

Originally from Sligo and now based in Co. Laois, Ms McHugh joined the charity in May 2015.

"My whole career has been about migration," she........

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