Key takeaway
Safe Home Ireland provides free, practical help for Irish people coming home. Here's what they offer and how to access their services.
What is Safe Home Ireland?
Safe Home Ireland is a non-profit organisation established in 2000 to help elderly and vulnerable Irish emigrants return home from abroad. While their original focus was on older emigrants, they have broadened their services and now help Irish people of all ages who want to return to Ireland and need guidance navigating the practicalities.
What Safe Home Ireland does
Their services are free and include:
- Information and advice on housing options (social housing, private rental, returning home schemes)
- Help applying for social housing with local authorities
- Assistance navigating social welfare entitlements for returning emigrants
- Guidance on re-accessing healthcare, including medical cards
- General support and advocacy for people returning home who are struggling with the process
Who uses Safe Home Ireland?
Primarily Irish-born people living abroad who want to return home — particularly those who have been living abroad for a long time and may be unfamiliar with how things work in modern Ireland, or those returning with limited financial resources. Their service is particularly valuable for older returnees who may have difficulty navigating online systems.
How to contact them
Safe Home Ireland is based in Knocknacarra, Co. Galway. They can be reached by phone at +353 91 862 511 or through their website at safehomeireland.com. They can provide advice by phone, email, or in person.
General guidance only. Always verify with official sources — gov.ie, citizensinformation.ie, hse.ie.