Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
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Question 13: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the financial assistance to centres in Britain supporting homeless Irish persons; his plans to develop promised initiatives to repatriate those who wish to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13723/11]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Emigrant Support Programme, administered by my Department, provides funding to non-profit organisations and projects to support Irish communities overseas and to facilitate the development of more strategic links between Ireland and the global Irish. The strong emphasis of the Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, which are targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities, including the elderly and homeless. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish people living abroad, particularly in Britain and the United States, through reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local, statutory entitlements.

Since 2004, approximately €58million has been awarded to support Irish organisations in Britain. Last year alone, some 128 British-based organisations received over €8.1 million under the Emigrant Support Programme. Fourteen of the British based organisations funded under this programme deal specifically with Irish citizens affected by homelessness and received funding of €857,000 in 2010. In addition, many other Irish welfare organisations receive significant funding for projects of benefit to homeless Irish persons.

My Department, in consultation with the Emigrant Services Advisory Committee, is currently assessing applications for funding under the 2011 grant round for projects based in Britain and organisations will be notified of the outcome in July. Despite the difficult budgetary situation facing the country, I am determined to maintain a significant level of funding for frontline services in Britain and elsewhere that address the needs of our most vulnerable emigrants.

While it is not within my remit to provide direct incentives to Irish emigrants to return to Ireland, the Emigrant Support Programme supports a number of Irish-based organisations that provide assistance to returning elderly and vulnerable Irish emigrants. These include Safe Home and Crosscare which received €255,000 and €161,140 respectively under the programme in 2010. A full list of all organisations funded through the Emigrant Support Programme since 2006 is available on www.dfa.ie .