John Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the total amount of spending on emigrant support programmes in 2010, 2011, 2012 and planned for 2013; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15578/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) 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 emphasis of the Emigrant Support Programme is on supporting culturally sensitive, frontline welfare services, targeted at the most vulnerable members of our overseas communities. These services have made a substantive difference to the lives of Irish communities overseas (particularly in Britain and the United States), reducing homelessness, tackling social isolation, and enabling Irish emigrants to access their local statutory entitlements.

While the support of frontline welfare services continues to be the priority of the ESP, the expansion of the programme has enabled the Government to invest in a range of community and heritage projects, which foster a greater sense of Irish identity, as well as strategic capital projects. These grants are a key part of the Government’s approach to developing strong and meaningful links with Irish communities overseas and to securing the long term future of these communities.

Between 2004 and 2012 over €104 million has been provided under the Programme. The total spend in 2010 was €11.93 million, €11.57 million in 2011 and €11.59 million in 2012. Details of all grant recipients since 2006 can be found on my Department’s website.

I am pleased that despite the difficult financial situation we face, the Government has maintained funding under the ESP at a level of €11.59 million for 2013. The 2013 grant round closed on 20 February with applications for 360 projects received from 17 countries.

The applications are currently under review. The focus in 2013 will be on supporting key frontline welfare and advisory services and on projects aimed at supporting new arrivals.