Written answers

Thursday, 9 October 2008

Department of Foreign Affairs

Emigrant Issues

5:00 pm

Photo of Billy TimminsBilly Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 19: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs the funding allocated by him to a centre (details supplied) for the years 2007 and 2008; if he has audited the accounts of this organisation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34083/08]

Photo of Micheál MartinMicheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Government continues to attach a high priority to supporting Irish communities overseas. This commitment is reflected in the unprecedented level of funding secured for emigrant services in recent years.

The needs of the Irish community in Britain, in particular older people and those at risk of social exclusion, are a key priority. Since the publication of the Report of the Task Force on Policy regarding Emigrants in 2002, Irish community organisations in Britain have been allocated more than €44 million in Government funding. In 2007 alone, Emigrant Support grants totalling €11.484 million were allocated to more than 134 frontline welfare and community organisations in Britain. In 2008, grants exceeding €8.5 million have already been allocated to 131 organisations, with further grant applications currently under consideration.

The London Irish Centre, Camden is one of the largest and oldest Irish Centres in Britain. The Centre provides a range of welfare services to the city's Irish community and is host to the offices of several important Irish organisations, including the Irish Commission for Prisoners Overseas, the Irish Elders Advice Network and the London Irish Survivors Outreach Workers.

In 2007, the Centre was awarded funding of £582,974 (€856,526), with further funding of £437,755 (€554,857) allocated this year. These allocations, like all emigrant services funding in Britain, were approved on the basis of recommendations from the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee (Díon) and the Embassy of Ireland, London, in close consultation with the Irish Abroad Unit.

Government funding enables the Centre to provide important frontline services to the local Irish community. These services include helping people to access housing and welfare entitlements and supporting those experiencing serious problems, such as alcoholism, mental illness and domestic violence. Government funding is also directed to the Centre's Outreach Programme, which helps to tackle social isolation and provides on-going support and referral services to the elderly in Camden and its surrounding Boroughs.

In line with our financial requirements, the London Irish Centre has provided its independently audited accounts for the year ending 31 March 2007, and is expected to submit accounts for the year ending 31 March 2008 shortly. The annual accounts of all Government funded organisations in Britain are monitored and reviewed by the Embassy, London, as a matter of standard practice.

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