Paul Connaughton Snr (Galway East, Fine Gael)
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Question 599: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the moneys which have been allocated from Díon funding to assist emigrants returning here; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24552/05]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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In July I was delighted to announce Díon grants totalling €6.60 million to 102 organisations involved in the provision of a wide range of support and advisory services which benefit Irish people resident in Britain, an increase so far this year of 52% on last year.

The valuable services of the organisations that we support include advice and information on issues relating to transferring residence to Ireland. A number of these groups are also involved in organising short visits to Ireland for their clients. In this regard I would like to pay particular tribute to the communities in Kerry, Mayo and elsewhere in Ireland who work closely with Irish organisations in Britain to make such visits possible.

The Safe-Home programme, based in County Mayo, deals exclusively with advising and assisting older Irish people who are considering a return to Ireland. I was happy to announce a Díon grant to Safe-Home in July of €124,743 to support it in the important services it offers to Irish people resident in Britain. Since 2001 Díon funding to Safe-Home has totalled €485,260.

In addition to this Díon funding, I have approved further grants to Safe-Home of €85,000 to support it in the expansion of its services so that Irish emigrants resident in countries other than Britain can also benefit from its assistance.