The Irish Embassy in Singapore has rubbished media reports people can be paid €80,000 to emigrate to Ireland and live on a remote island.
Stories have appeared on news outlets like Forbes and Brisbane's Courier Mail but the Embassy of Ireland, Singapore says “these articles are incorrect”.
Grants are being offered for refurbishing derelict and vacant properties on islands from July - but not for relocation.
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A post shared on the embassy’s Instagram stories on Tuesday read: “Media reporting - Island relocation visa scheme.
“The Embassy of Ireland in Singapore is aware of media reports that people can be paid to emigrate to Ireland and earn €80,000 to live on a remote island.
“These articles are incorrect.”
It appears they are also concerned about people being scammed by schemes offering visas.
They added: “Embassies do not issue visas for this scheme. We also advise that you do not accept any help from anyone offering to arrange a visa for you under this scheme.”
The Department of Rural and Community Development’s report on the National Island Policy for 2023-2030 does highlight issues small islands off the coast of Donegal, Sligo, Mayo, Galway and Cork are facing when it comes to aging populations and challenges retaining young people.
It highlights funding for a number of schemes, including road upgrades, helipads, airports, outdoor recreation facilities, recycling and toilet facilities as well as vacant property and derelict property refurbishment grants of up to €84,000.
They also say: “Our ambition is to halt population decline on the islands and, in collaboration with island communities, create the conditions that will encourage young people to remain on, or move to, the islands to live, work and raise families.”
The report outlines the need for good quality jobs, housing, attracting graduates back to islands, as well as sustainable development in terms of climate, digital connectivity and energy.
But it doesn’t mention people being paid to move to Irish islands.
A Department of Rural and Community Development spokesperson said: "It is not the case that people will be paid to relocate to islands off the coast of Ireland. The headlines in the examples you have provided are misleading and these publications have not verified their information with the Department.
"It appears that some international media outlets have misinterpreted what is in the policy and action plan in relation to the vacant homes refurbishment grant for the islands.
"One of the measures announced by the Government is to provide additional levels of support through the Vacant Property Refurbishment Grant (Croí Cónaithe) to support people who wish to turn vacant and derelict properties on the islands into long-term homes. Under this measure, the existing grant ceilings will be increased by 20%.
"Clear and detailed information on the national islands policy Our Living Islands is available here.
