Billy Lawless (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I wish to place on record my thanks to all the Irish support organisations around the world that assist, on a daily basis, Irish people living abroad with many issues of concern. These organisations provide general information and they also assist people in dealing with serious personal difficulties and tragedies. The support they offer to Irish communities goes mainly unrecorded but their work is invaluable. In the United States, the Irish support organisations offer a variety of services ranging from crisis intervention and management, supportive counselling with solution-focused orientation, information, advocacy, accompaniment to court - when required - and inter-agency liaison.This year, in the Boston area, the Irish Pastoral Centre provided advice and support to at least 15 prisoners. The figures on undocumented Irish in detention for deportation nationwide are relatively low year on year but the level of support being given is placing great strain on the limited resources. Due to policy changes in US immigration, the toxic atmosphere is causing severe stress, particularly among the undocumented community. This has resulted in an increased demand for counselling services due to increased anxiety, a siege mentality and insular lifestyles.

This summer, an example of the assistance given by Irish organisations was highlighted by a serious case that came through my office. It was of a young person who was travelling throughout in the US and had not made any contact with home for months, and the family were desperately worried. When the person was found, his mental health was in a fragile state and he needed urgent assistance. I contacted the local Irish Community Services, a not-for-profit immigration organisation, and it made contact immediately with the place where this person was staying. Through sensitive and gentle discussion, he allowed them access. He was in a bad state, both physically and mentally, and was brought immediately to a hospital where he received the urgent medical care required. A few days later, he was able to return to his family in Ireland accompanied by his brother. Only for the professional and sensitive approach from members of our Irish support organisation, this could have had a different and tragic outcome. This type of assistance is replicated in communities throughout the US and elsewhere across the world.

The Government, through its embassies and consulates, provides significant support to Irish support agencies and organisations and we thank them sincerely for their excellent work. The recent increase of crisis cases has reinforced the importance of having an interconnected web of agencies, providing holistic support to the global Irish community.

The Government must do more, through exploring how these non-profit organisations can be further financially supported and I call on the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade to ensure the Department continues to fund them to ensure they can continue to provide the excellent assistance they do. Our global diaspora, particularly those who are undocumented, need and deserve the full support of the Government in every way.