Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 125: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the number of recommendations of the Task Force on Emigrants that have been implemented to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18717/07]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants produced a major report which has provided us with a very valuable framework for our current and future activities in this area. The Report, as the Deputy is aware, contains wide-ranging and detailed recommendations which require sustained and phased implementation.

Activities currently in operation are giving effect to well over two thirds of the report's recommendations, and further significant progress is being made. Implementation requires on-going action from all partners, in Government and the voluntary sector.

The establishment and operation of the Irish Abroad Unit within my Department has greatly assisted in strategically directing and driving progress on all areas identified by the Task Force. These advances are very warmly appreciated, and supported, by our communities abroad.

An essential positive development is the very substantial level of funding now made available. In 2007, the unprecedented amount of €15.165 million has been provided for emigrant services. This is 26% greater than last year, and 15-times greater than the allocation some years ago, and is a clear and positive indication of the Government's firm commitment to the welfare of our emigrants.

We have increased our financial support very substantially to the voluntary agencies active in the areas identified as critical by the Task Force. A particular priority for the Government is the ongoing need to support our most vulnerable and marginalised citizens abroad such as our older community in Britain and our undocumented in the United States, as well as the provision of pre-departure services and assistance to emigrants who want to return to Ireland.

In April, I hosted a conference on Ireland's Attitude to our Diaspora. The Chairman of the Task Force, Mr. Paddy O'Hanlon, was the keynote speaker. The conference provided an opportunity, five years on from the publication of the Task Force Report, to launch a review of our approach to our community around the globe and, where necessary, to reshape our policies in this key area. I was particularly pleased that the diverse participation in the conference included a delegation from the United States Congress as well as representatives of industry, academic bodies, State agencies and public officials.

Officers in the Irish Abroad Unit, and in our Embassies, maintain very close and interactive contact with the front-line organisations that support our community abroad. This helps to ensure that the voluntary sector has an effective channel of communication with the Government, and that everything possible gets done to advance the interests and well-being of our emigrant communities. In this way, we are ensuring that our response to identified needs has a very practical effect, and is developed and improved in the light of operational experience.