Charlie O'Connor (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 452: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, as part of the Irish abroad initiative, he can seek information on the number of Irish persons living in the UK who are finding it difficult to exist; his contacts with various groups in the UK helping these persons; the level of funding being made available to these groups; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1068/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

While we have no clear figure for the number of Irish people in Britain who may find it difficult to support themselves, officials of the embassy in London and the Irish abroad unit of my Department remain in close contact with the voluntary agencies which assist emigrants who find themselves disadvantaged. I met many of the people who work in this field at a recent conference for emigrant service providers in Dublin and again during my visit to the London Irish Centre in December. I was pleased to hear that the establishment of the Irish abroad unit and the significant increase in funding I have secured for emigrant services have been warmly welcomed by those who provide frontline services to our community in Britain. I am convinced that these developments will serve to advance the services that are provided to those who find themselves in a vulnerable situation.

My Department supports these groups through the Díon fund, which is administered by our embassy in London. Since it was established in 1984, more than €22 million has been distributed through the fund. The figure disbursed last year was €4.3 million, a 68% increase on the 2003 figure. In the recent budget I was delighted to secure €8.27 million for emigrant services in 2005, of which I expect some €7 million will go to organisations in Britain.

This very significant rise in funding for emigrant services reflects in the clearest possible way the strength of the Government's firm and sustained commitment to our emigrant communities.