Billy Timmins (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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Question 26: To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs if, in view of the economic downturn and potential for emigration, he expects greater demand for emigrant services provided by the State abroad; if these services will be available to an adequate extent in view of planned cutbacks in expenditure on emigrant services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31779/09]

Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Supporting Irish communities overseas, and in particular the most vulnerable members of these communities, is an important priority for the Government.

Over the past five years the Government has allocated more than €60 million, under the Emigrant Support Programme, to support our communities abroad.

The socially sensitive frontline services which this funding supports continue to make a substantive difference to the lives of vulnerable Irish emigrants, reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling access to local statutory entitlements. In addition, the programme also supports a range of community and heritage projects, fostering a greater sense of Irish identity amongst our diaspora, and a smaller number of strategic capital projects, which are helping to ensure the long term future of Irish community organisations overseas.

Despite the current challenging budgetary situation, support for emigrant services has this year been maintained at its record 2008 level of €15.183 million. This is a significant achievement in the current economic climate, one which underlines our strong commitment to our overseas communities. The current allocation is some five times greater than the 2003 equivalent and represents a 15 fold increase on the 1997 figure.

No decision has been taken on levels of emigrant services funding in 2010. Given the challenging economic and budgetary situation, the Government is, of course, conscious of the need to ensure value for money is achieved across all areas of public spending. Officials in my Department, and through our network of missions, work very closely with organisations in receipt of Emigrant Support Programme funding to support the delivery of essential services to our overseas communities. I am very conscious of the significant efforts Irish community organisations are themselves making to strengthen and develop their capacity, ensuring they can respond effectively to the needs of the vulnerable Irish abroad.

As I explained to delegates at the recent Global Irish Economic Forum, the Government is committed to shielding the most vulnerable members of our community, at home and overseas, from the effects of the current economic downturn. In this context, I can assure the Deputy that, through the Emigrant Support Programme, we will continue to prioritise the funding of frontline services, and to work with community organisations overseas, to help ensure the welfare needs of our overseas communities are met.