Andrew Doyle (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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49. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding that the Irish International Immigrant Centre in Boston, Massachusetts, USA, has received from his Department per year from 2007 to 2012; if the centre is legally obliged to report Irish citizens to immigration authorities for taking extra work; if the centre could instead offer supports to Irish citizens and help Irish immigrants in view of the fact that they receive Irish taxpayer funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26414/13]

Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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56. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on the recent actions of the Irish International Immigrant Centre in Boston in relation to a young J1 Irish visa holder; his views on the adequacy and suitability of advice provided by such centres; if he has received a comprehensive report on this particular incident; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26556/13]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 49 and 56 together.

The Irish International Immigration Centre in Boston (IIIC) has provided assistance to Irish emigrants in Massachusetts for almost 25 years. The Government has provided funding to the organisation through the Emigrant Support Programme primarily for services aimed at assisting vulnerable Irish citizens, including the undocumented, the elderly, prisoners and those suffering from substance abuse. Details of grants provided since 2007 are outlined in the table below.

Since 2009, the IIIC has also been accredited by the US State Department as a visa sponsor for the J1 Irish work and Travel 12 month programme. The terms and conditions under which the IIIC participates in this programme are determined by its contractual relationship with the State Department. Following the incident referred to by the Deputy, our Consul General in Boston met with the Executive Director of the IIIC and requested a full report. He also emphasised that Emigrant Support Programme funding would be provided to organisations who continued to prioritise the interests of Irish citizens and Irish communities. I note that the IIIC has since issued a public apology for the manner in which the incident was handled.

While my Department has expressed its concern to the organisation, it is important to recognise that thousands of Irish citizens have received considerable direct assistance over the past two and a half decades from the IIIC. Through our Consulate in Boston we will continue to work with the IIIC and the Irish Pastoral Centre in Boston to ensure that the needs of Irish citizens, particularly the most vulnerable, continue to be met.

Amount of funding awarded to the Irish International Immigration Centre* 2006 -2012

*The Centre was known as the Irish Immigration Centre until 2010, since then it has been known as the Irish International Immigration Centre.