Neale Richmond (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for tabling this timely Commencement matter. I wholeheartedly agree with every point he made. I really appreciate the passion that he brought to this discussion.

In line with our current diaspora strategy, the Government is committed to strengthening the ties between Ireland and our communities overseas and ensuring we look after the most vulnerable of our emigrants. Britain remains home to the largest Irish-born community outside Ireland. It continues to be the most popular destination for those emigrating from Ireland. The Government has provided financial support to Irish community organisations in Britain since 1984. This is co-ordinated by the Irish abroad unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, working with the Irish Embassy in London and our consulates in Cardiff, Edinburgh and Manchester.

Our engagement today is underpinned by the emigrant support programme, which was launched in 2004. In that time, the programme has granted in excess of €250 million to 900 organisations in 51 countries. Last year, we allocated ESP funding of more than €7.8 million to 112 organisations in Britain alone in respect of 202 projects. This represented just half of the total ESP budget. In addition, Irish-based organisations such as the GAA, Safe Home and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann receive funding for their work with our community in Britain. More than 75% of the funding was allocated to front-line services for vulnerable and underrepresented groups in Britain.We supported counselling and outreach services and projects which address social isolation and actively improve the well-being of Irish people. We also invested in projects that foster a sense of community, nurture our identity and culture overseas and deepen our trade, business and education links.

Last month in England, I saw at first hand the vital work the ESP is funding when I met with community groups in London, Coventry and Birmingham. I visited lunch clubs and sat with our fellow Irish men and women and I heard and discussed their stories. Their story of emigration is in stark contrast to the story of emigration among my generation. My peers, and perhaps those younger again, had no choice. They left Ireland at a different and darker time with few skills or qualifications. Senator Craughwell referred the other week to the dreaded mailboat, which Senator Boyhan and I know well. They took that from Dún Laoghaire to Holyhead and other places. They were the navvies on the building sites and the nurses in the hospitals. They often met hardship, tough economic times and prejudice. They lived hard, tough lives but they thrived in their new homes and did not for one instant lose their sense of Irishness. We should never forget that.

In 2025, we will allocate almost €16.5 million to strengthen ties with the diaspora and communities overseas. The funding year runs from 1 July to 30 June each year. The 2025-26 ESP opened for applications on 29 January and closed on 19 February. Applications are now being assessed and details on disbursements of grants will be made available over the coming months.

The Senator referred to my next point. An important part of Ireland's diaspora strategy is a commitment to heal the relationship with those who left Ireland in crisis and survivors of institutional abuse. Britain is home to the largest numbers of victims of institutional abuse. It is estimated that 30% of all survivors live in Britain. The Senator spoke of an advertisement he heard on the tube but this is not an issue that is in the news in Britain. It has not had documentaries made about it and is perhaps not in the social consciousness we all live with every day. That is why we are advertising, why people like the ambassador, H.E. Mr. Fraser, whom the Senator rightly commends, are reaching out to those communities and why I met representatives of the survivors. We are working closely with community organisations to make sure relevant UK departments can provide people with access to compensation schemes without negatively affecting other welfare supports they may be entitled to.

The ESP provides funding to community organisations in Britain supporting survivors such as the immigrant counselling and psychotherapy organisation known as ICAP, the London Irish Centre, Coventry Irish Society and Fréa in the north of England. Our funding supports eight full-time posts and two part-time posts to ensure dedicated support is provided to the survivor community. These organisations have been centrally involved in assisting survivors in Britain to access the mother and baby institutions payments scheme.

As we look to the future, it is vital that we support our vibrant and diverse diaspora, particularly in Britain. I will continue to ensure that the ESP prioritises projects that place the welfare and care of our citizens at their heart and that deepen our ties with our uniquely rich and dynamic Irish communities. I look forward to engaging further with the Senator.