Noel Treacy (Galway East, Fianna Fail)

Is cúis áthais dom freagra cruinn beacht a thabhairt ar an ábhar tábhachtach seo faoi imircigh — muintir na nGael thar lear. I welcome this opportunity to stress the Government's continuing and strong commitment to Irish people living abroad. Emigration resonates deeply with us all, touching as it does every family at some time or other. We feel empathy when we hear accounts of the sadness of parting, the difficulties of adjusting and the loneliness of separation from loved ones. Those of us who represent constituencies in the west are keenly conscious of the impact of emigration on our communities. We know that many of those who emigrated made good lives for themselves abroad. They made, and continue to make, distinctive and positive contributions in their adopted countries. They have also maintained close connections with Ireland and have helped us in our efforts to develop opportunities for current and future generations. We know that many made difficult sacrifices by leaving Ireland. We deeply appreciate that and recognise the great credit they have brought on themselves and on Ireland in international fields.

While celebrating the positive aspects of the experience of emigration, we know that it has presented some people with difficulties, and they can find themselves adrift and marginalised. Many who emigrated did so feeling that they had no other option. It has been a priority of successive Governments to ensure that Irish people who emigrate do so voluntarily, on the basis of informed choice and not because of lack of opportunities at home.

Our community abroad has benefited from the selfless and tireless work of individuals and organisations that assist Irish people abroad. I express the deep appreciation of the Government to those people. Their dedication and compassion reflect an invaluable community spirit that enriches us all. For many years the Government provided financial assistance to organisations that offer front-line advice, counselling and support services to Irish people abroad. Nobody should be in doubt but that our commitment and support are firm, growing and long term. Through its engagement with Irish people abroad, the Government saw the need for a more structured and strategic approach to emigration policy to respond better to the needs of emigrants. The task force on policy regarding emigrants was established to advise on the development of a coherent long-term policy. Its report provides us with a key resource in shaping Irish policy on this important issue. Its recommendations, which are wide-ranging and far-reaching, make clear that issues of concern can best be addressed by a collective effort involving governmental and non-governmental agencies.

The establishment in the Department of a new dedicated unit focused entirely on matters relating to emigrants is a notable development. I am convinced that it will inject fresh momentum to drive forward progress on all critically important areas identified by the task force. Our priority continues to be to get increased funding to the organisations abroad that provide critical support for Irish emigrants. Funding to those organisations has been increasing steadily and significantly. The Department's services for emigrants funding for 2004, rose to €5 million. That is being directed to voluntary agencies that provide front-line services for emigrants. This year's funding represents an increase of two thirds on last year. Most funding is directed to welfare organisations in Britain. As the Deputy may be aware, the Díon fund for Irish emigrant welfare in Britain is allocated by the Minister for Foreign Affairs on the basis of recommendations from the Díon committee. The committee's role is to advise and report on welfare services for emigrants, make recommendations on the provision of financial assistance and consider issues at the request of the Minister for Foreign Affairs.

This year we began planning to allocate €3.57 million to services for Irish emigrants in Britain through the Díon fund. That in itself represented an increase of over one third on last year's allocation. I am delighted to say that we have today approved a further round of grants. The Díon fund will this year exceed our initial target. This year, funding to front-line welfare organisations in Britain will reach €4.3 million, an increase of two thirds on last year. Since 1984, €21 million has been distributed under the Díon fund to welfare organisations in Britain. That will have risen to €22 million by the end of this year. The fund has increased fivefold in the past five years.

At the Minister's request, the Díon committee is paying particular attention to the needs of older Irish people resident in Britain. While the full range of advisory services is open to people of all age groups, several agencies receiving Government funding focus on meeting the needs of older Irish people. Furthermore, we are conscious of the entitlements of some of our older emigrants to Irish contributory pensions. In 2000, when he was Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Dermot Ahern, introduced a half-rate contributory pension scheme for people with pre-1953 contributions. This year under the scheme €72 million is being directed to older people who are resident abroad, most of them in Britain. This year organisations in the United States that offer invaluable support to our emigrants there, in particular the undocumented Irish people, have been awarded grants totalling €500,000. This represents an increase of more than 70% on last year's grants, which is the greatest increase ever. We would like to increase this amount further in the coming years to develop these vital services. I assure the House of the Government's further support for Irish people abroad during 2005 and the years beyond.

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