Submission of 2016 Presidential Distinguished Service Award nominations to HQ

The Presidential Distinguished Service Award for the Irish Abroad (PDSA) which was established by the Government in 2012, to provide a system of State recognition for those living abroad, (primarily Irish citizens , those entitled to Irish citizenship, and those of Irish descent) who provide sustained and distinguished service to Ireland and/or Irish communities abroad.

The call for nominations for 2016 is now open. The closing date for receipt of nominations to Missions is Wednesday, 20th April 2016 – this is the date which will be shown on the Department’s website and should be replicated on Mission websites. Missions are requested to submit all nominations received to Irish Abroad Unit (Cecily McKenna and Yvonne Ellison) no later than Wednesday, 27th April 2016.

New elements introduced in 2016

Missions will wish to be aware that an additional new category has been introduced this year - Science, Technology & Innovation - giving a total of six categories under which individuals can be nominated:

· Irish Community Support;

· Arts, Culture and Sport;

· Charitable Works;

· Business and Education;

· Peace, Reconciliation and Development;

· Science, Technology and Innovation (additional category introduced in 2016).

A further new element has also been added in 2016 whereby individual Missions can re-nominate up to three unsuccessful nominees from the list of those submitted by them in previous years. In this regard, Irish Abroad Unit will forward, under separate cover to individual Missions, a list of their nominees from 2012 – 2015.

If Missions wish to re-nominate a previously unsuccessful nominee, a new form (PDSA 2016 – Form 3) should be completed by Missions, outlining any relevant up to date information on the re-nomination of the individual concerned. If Missions do not have the original nomination documentation to hand, Irish Abroad Unit will be happy to e-mail the material to them.