Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)

Will the Minister of State outline what that item was? In 2004, the funding amounted to $653,000 and in 2008 it was $5 million. Was this because additional funds came on stream or have circumstances deteriorated for many of the undocumented Irish in the United States? What is the current position on the attempts to obtain recognition for the undocumented Irish in the United States?

The Minister of State, Deputy Roche, said the amount of money allocated for Irish emigrant services abroad was €15.1 million last year. No reduction is proposed for this year. This contrasts starkly with the reduction in funding for Irish Aid under the Minister of State, Deputy Peter Power. Was the allocation for Irish emigrant services under threat at any stage? Was a policy decision taken to hit Irish Aid but not Irish emigrant services?

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