Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 311: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the initiatives being worked on to help those who emigrated more than 50 years ago and who now wish to return home; the discussions that have taken place with other appropriate Governments, particularly those of the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, to facilitate the homecoming of those émigrés who wish to return. [33364/08]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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According to Central Statistics Office estimates, approximately 16,200 Irish emigrants returned to live in Ireland in the past year, bringing the total number of returned emigrants since 2003 to over 107,000.

As the Deputy will be aware, the vast majority of returning emigrants do not request State assistance in making arrangements for their return. However, some returning emigrants do require support and, in this context, my Department allocates financial support to frontline welfare organisations which assist such people.

My Department has provided funding to two organisations working specifically in this area, the Safe Home Programme and the Crosscare Migrant Project. The award of a €249,900 grant in April of this year brought the Department's total funding for Safe Home since 2005 to over €900,000. I have also approved funding of €159,000 this year to support the Crosscare Migrant Project, bringing the total Emigrant Support funding awarded to the organisation since 2005 to €475,000. This substantial funding is testament to the high value which the Government places on their work. The Government remains committed to supporting frontline welfare agencies and organisations.

In addition, our network of Missions overseas are happy to advise Irish citizens who contact them seeking information on returning to live in Ireland.

As regards the involvement of authorities in other countries, while they would not usually have a direct role in the process, we would of course seek their assistance if it was needed in a particular case.