Dinny McGinley (Donegal South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 61: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the organisations in the UK working with Irish emigrants that have been grant aided by his Department; the amount given to each organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13064/06]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The strong commitment of the Government to support our community abroad is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services. This year, €12 million is available for this purpose which represents an increase of 45% on 2005.

The needs of our Irish community in Britain are a particular priority for the Government. In 2005, groups in Britain received grants from my Department amounting to €7.06 million. I am delighted that the number of grant recipients increased from 58 in 2004 to 118 in 2005. The very significant increase in funding and the rise in the number of grant recipients reflect, in the clearest possible way, the strength of the Government's firm and sustained commitment to our community in Britain.

While the primary emphasis of funding continues to be on supporting frontline welfare services, I am pleased that additional funding has also made it possible to support a number of capital projects as well as projects which support our community in Britain in their wish to express their Irish identity.

The following table gives details of the grants that I approved last year to organisations based in Britain. Applications for grants are currently under consideration and I look forward to making an announcement in due course.