Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 123: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the programme for Government to increase funding for emigrant welfare to €34 million per annum. [20316/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Reaching out to and strengthening links with the Irish community in Britain and with those of Irish ancestry has been, and continues to be, a cornerstone of Government policy. This commitment is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services in recent years. Since the establishment of the Irish Abroad Unit in 2004, the range and extent of the Emigrant Support Programme has been considerably expanded. This year the Government has made €15.183 million available for emigrant services. This figure is three times greater than the 2004 allocation, and is a clear reflection of our firm and ongoing commitment to the welfare of Irish people abroad.

The capacity of the Irish Abroad Unit and that of our network of Missions which support and coordinate the Programme has also increased. This ensures that these additional resources continue to be allocated and monitored efficiently. This was confirmed by a Value for Money and Policy Review of the Support for Emigrants Subhead which was completed in July 2007 by Goodbody Economic Consultants — copies of the Review were lodged in the Houses of the Oireachtas Library and are also on the Departmental website (www.dfa.ie ). The Government is committed to incrementally increasing funding levels to groups working with our emigrant communities, subject to overall budgetary considerations.