Safe Home Ireland

What Safe Home Ireland does

Safe Home Ireland, legally constituted as Safe Home Programme CLG (Registered Charity 20049119, Company Number 351678), is an Irish national charity established in 2000 that provides free, confidential information, guidance, and person-centred support to Irish emigrants worldwide who are considering or have returned to Ireland. The organization operates through five service pillars: Information (rights, entitlements, and process guidance), Housing (a government-supported social housing scheme for Irish-born emigrants aged 57+), Outreach (home visits abroad primarily in the UK and one-to-one support visits in Ireland), Connect (monthly newsletter and diaspora networking), and Projects (advocacy and policy initiatives). In 2025, the charity recorded 5,296 client interventions, 168 outreach visits, and 640 new queries (up 51% from 424 in 2024), with US-based contacts rising from 14% to 21% of new enquiries.

Safe Home Ireland does not operate proprietary technology; service delivery relies on human outreach via phone, WhatsApp, email, web forms, and in-person visits, supported by a website using Google Analytics, Enthuse for donations, PayZone for calendar sales, and Eventbrite for event registration. The core business model is grant-funded: approximately 87% of total costs come from the Irish Government's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade through the Emigrant Support Programme, with the balance from individual donations, legacy gifts, corporate sponsorships (e.g., UTS Technologies), and fundraising events including the National Famine Way Walk, Christmas Concert, and Annual Calendar. A small remotely based team of approximately 8-10 staff across Ireland is supplemented by an extensive partner network of 100+ Irish diaspora organizations, Local Authorities, and Voluntary Housing Associations. Leadership comprises CEO Karen McHugh, Founder/Life President Dr. Jerry Cowley, and Chairperson Nova Fariss, with President of Ireland Catherine Connolly as Patron and musician Seán Keane as Ambassador.

Name

Safe Home Ireland

Legal name

Safe Home Programme CLG

Website

https://safehomeireland.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2000

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Safe Home Ireland is a national Irish charity, established in 2000, that provides free information, housing assistance, and outreach support to Irish emigrants aged 57+ worldwide who are considering or have returned to Ireland, primarily funded by the Department of Foreign Affairs' Emigrant Support Programme.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Diaspora Support Services

NAICS

Community Housing Services (62422), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC)

akta.pro secondary industry

Public & Affordable Housing Programs (Subsidies, Vouchers, Public Housing) (BPAIANAA)

Keywords

• Emigrant support services
• Diaspora resettlement assistance
• Social housing referrals
• Charity information guidance
• Returning emigrant outreach

Headquarters

HQ city

Mulranny, Westport

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Grants: Core funding from the Emigrant Support Programme of Ireland's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, covering approximately 87% of total costs. This is the primary revenue source.
2. Individual Donations: One-time and monthly donations from individual supporters. Facilitated via online donation platform (Enthuse), bank transfer, and cheque.
3. Legacy Gifts: Bequests and gifts left in wills to support the charity's long-term work.
4. Fundraising Events: Revenue from annual fundraising events including the National Famine Way Walk, Christmas Concert, and Annual Calendar sales.
5. Corporate Support: Corporate Social Responsibility collaborations including one-off donations, fundraising events, staff volunteering, and sharing of resources. Corporate sponsors such as UTS Technologies provide merchandise sponsorship.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Safe Home Ireland is a national charity providing free, confidential information, guidance, and person-centred support to Irish emigrants worldwide considering or returning to Ireland. The charity operates five core service pillars — Information, Housing, Outreach, Connect, and Projects — including a unique government-supported social housing scheme for qualifying Irish-born emigrants aged 57+, delivered through direct outreach, partner agency referrals, and online resources.

Product overview

Safe Home Ireland is a national charity established in 2000 with a global remit, providing information, guidance, and person-centred support to Irish emigrants considering or returning to Ireland. The organisation operates five core service pillars: Information (free guidance on rights, entitlements, and supports), Housing (coordinating a government-supported scheme for Irish-born emigrants aged 57+ to access social housing), Outreach (home visits abroad and in-Ireland support), Connect (monthly newsletter and diaspora networking), and Projects (advocacy and policy initiatives). Services are delivered through direct client support, partnerships with Local Authorities and Voluntary Housing Associations, outreach visits primarily in the UK and US, information clinics, and participation in European networks. Fundraising activities include an annual calendar, Christmas concert, and National Famine Way walk. The organisation celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2025.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Information Service Free, confidential information and guidance service for Irish emigrants covering housing, healthcare, social welfare, banking, PPS numbers, driving licences, and other entitlements related to moving or returning to Ireland.
• Housing Assistance Programme
• Outreach Service
• Connect Monthly Newsletter
• Safe Home Ireland Annual Calendar Annual fundraising calendar featuring scenic photographs from across Ireland and original reflections, sold internationally to raise funds for the charity.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5,296 client interventions and 232 organisational interventions in 2025; 640 new queries (up 51% from 2024); 2,363 accommodations secured since inception in 2000
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Irish-US Driver's License Exchange Campaign CommitteecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSafe Home Ireland is a founding member and co-chair of this campaign, which brings together prominent individuals and partner organisations from both the US and Ireland to advocate for reciprocal driving licence exchanges. The campaign was officially launched on 5 February 2025 and has presented its report to Dáil Éireann.
• ERMiNe (European Return & Migration Network)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPan-European network of NGOs dedicated to intra-European mobility and strengthening EU migrant rights. Safe Home Ireland is a partner alongside organisations from Latvia, Poland, Spain, Germany, Italy, and Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project. Funded by Erasmus+ (December 2024 – February 2026).
• EPIC The Irish Emigration MuseumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe National Famine Way Walk starts at EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum in Dublin's Docklands. EPIC serves as a key stakeholder in the annual fundraising walk partnership.
• National Famine Way / National Famine Museum Strokestown ParkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAnnual fundraising walk follows the 165km National Famine Way trail, ending at Strokestown Park / National Famine Museum. Key stakeholder and partner for the annual walk event.
• Irish Pastoral Centre BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner that co-facilitates information sessions on Moving/Returning to Ireland. Safe Home Ireland conducts outreach visits and one-to-one appointments in partnership with this center.
• New York Irish CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner providing a range of services and cultural programmes for the Irish community. Co-facilitates information sessions and hosts Safe Home Ireland outreach visits and one-to-one appointments.
• Aisling Irish Community Center (New York)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner that co-facilitates information sessions on returning to Ireland and hosts Safe Home Ireland outreach visits.
• Emerald Isle Immigration Center (New York)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner in the Bronx that co-facilitates information sessions and outreach appointments with Safe Home Ireland.
• Irish Diaspora Center (Philadelphia)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS partner that co-facilitates information sessions on Moving/Returning to Ireland and provides warm, welcoming space for the Irish community.
• Irish Elderly Advice Network (London)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner supporting the older Irish community in London since 1993. Safe Home Ireland's Outreach and Advocacy Officer gives presentations on advice for those thinking about moving back to Ireland.
• Irish Community Care ManchesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner that offers front-line information, advice and outreach support services to the Irish community in Manchester.
• Irish Community Care (Merseyside/Liverpool)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner delivering services across the North West, proudly supporting Irish communities for over 50 years.
• London Irish CentreminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner where Safe Home Ireland conducts community talks and one-to-one appointments, including visits to the Survivors Integrated Service.
• BIAS Brent Irish Advisory ServiceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner established in 1978 in response to the welfare needs of the Irish community in London. Safe Home Ireland conducts outreach and advisory drop-in services in partnership.
• Irish Cultural Centre HammersmithminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner, opened in 1995 as the premiere centre in the UK dedicated to Irish art and culture abroad. Hosts Safe Home Ireland drop-in clinics.
• Birmingham Irish AssociationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner where Safe Home Ireland conducts information sessions and meets with the team to exchange information about services.
• Coventry Irish SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner where Safe Home Ireland's Outreach Officer conducts information sessions and exchanges information about respective services.
• Luton Irish ForumminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUK partner charity promoting Irish identity, culture and heritage, and improving quality of life of the Irish community in Luton. Safe Home Ireland conducts outreach visits.
• Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support ProjectcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish partner organisation providing advice, information, and advocacy support to Irish citizens leaving or returning to Ireland, especially those in vulnerable situations. Partner in ERMiNe project and co-organiser of global coffee mornings.
• Irish in BritainminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational umbrella body for Irish community organisations across Britain with over 100 member groups. Safe Home Ireland connects with and refers clients through this network.
• Consulate General of Ireland, BostonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish consular office with which Safe Home Ireland meets to discuss work and Irish-US Drivers Licence Exchange Campaign.
• Consulate General of Ireland, New YorkminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIrish consular office that Safe Home Ireland's CEO met with to discuss work assisting Irish citizens in the US and Irish-US Driver's License Exchange Campaign.
• Irish in Business Network (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupported Safe Home Ireland as their charity partner in recent years. Connected at the 2025 Meeting of German-Irish Societies and Organisations at the Embassy of Ireland, Berlin.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Regional players

• Aisling Irish Community Center (New York): US-based community center serving the Irish community in New York with social, cultural, and support services. Comparable as a US-based Irish diaspora support organization that co-hosts Safe Home Ireland outreach visits and serves an overlapping client population.
• Emerald Isle Immigration Center: US-based non-profit in the Bronx providing immigration, educational, and social services to the Irish and Irish-American community. Comparable as a US-Irish diaspora organization that co-facilitates Safe Home Ireland information sessions and referrals.
• London Irish Centre: Major UK-based community organization providing welfare, cultural, and support services to the Irish community in London. Comparable as a UK-based diaspora support organization hosting Safe Home outreach visits and serving overlapping beneficiary populations.
• Irish Community Care (Manchester): UK-based charity offering front-line information, advice, and outreach support services to the Irish community in Manchester. Listed as a Safe Home Ireland partner and provides overlapping diaspora support services to Irish emigrants in the UK.

Broad incumbents

• Focus Ireland: Larger national non-profit tackling homelessness and housing exclusion in Ireland, including advocacy and supported housing services. Comparable to Safe Home in its use of housing placement and social-support model, but with a broader domestic homelessness focus rather than the returning-diaspora niche.
• The Peter McVerry Trust: Major Irish housing and homelessness charity operating social housing units, homelessness services, and youth housing programs nationwide. Comparable in the delivery of housing placements and outreach to vulnerable populations, though with a broader homelessness mandate than Safe Home's returnee-focused work.

Others

• Citizens Advice (UK): Major UK-wide advice charity providing free, confidential information and advice on rights, entitlements, housing, and welfare. Comparable in its free, person-centred information-and-guidance model for vulnerable populations, though serving the general UK public rather than Irish returnees specifically.
• Threshold (National Housing Charity): Irish national non-profit providing housing advice, information, and policy advocacy on tenancy rights and access to social housing. Comparable in its housing-access and information-provision remit, serving a wider Irish population rather than diaspora returnees specifically.
• Respond! Housing Association: Irish voluntary housing association providing housing for families, individuals, and those with specific needs across Ireland. Directly involved in the social housing placements Safe Home coordinates through its Voluntary Housing Association relationships, making it a partner-adjacent peer in the placement pathway.

Direct peers

• Crosscare Irish Diaspora Support Project: Irish non-profit providing advice, information, and advocacy support to Irish citizens leaving or returning to Ireland, particularly vulnerable individuals. Named as a co-partner in the ERMiNe project and global coffee mornings, operating an almost identical diaspora-support mandate alongside Safe Home Ireland.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/safehomeprogramme
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/safehomeireland

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Safe Home Ireland