Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry South, Independent)
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145. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the position regarding assistance in respect of a person (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17891/14]

Eamon Gilmore (Dún Laoghaire, Labour)
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I wish to inform the Deputy that there are no public funds available from my Department to repatriate the remains of Irish citizens for burial in Ireland.However, as the Deputy may be aware, there are various Irish groups and organisations in the UK which may be able to assist in the circumstances as outlined. Such groups and organisations would have links with the wider Irish community and would also have practical experience of dealing with a wide range of issues of concern to that community. It should be borne in mind however that direct financial assistance may not be possible. Our Embassy in London is currently following up with officials at the sheltered accommodation where the individual named by the Deputy died, to ascertain whether there is any entitlement to funding under the British Social Security system.

The Deputy may wish to note that prior to his notification of the death of this Irish citizen, my Department had not received any request for assistance from any relation of the deceased. Following receipt of the Deputy’s enquiry, the Consular Assistance section of my Department spoke with the individual who contacted the Deputy on behalf of the next of kin and promised to keep them apprised of developments.