Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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642. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the funding he has provided to the emigrant support programme in 2016 to date and the various programmes he will fund; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7086/16]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) provides funding to not-for-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 focus of the Emigrant Support Programme is on initiatives that:

- address the needs of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable Irish emigrants;

- enhance access for Irish emigrants and Irish community organisations to local statutory and voluntary services;

- foster a more vibrant sense of community and Irish identity amongst the Irish abroad; and,

- encourage closer links between Irish communities abroad and Ireland, to the benefit of both.

A total of €11,595,000 has been allocated for the Emigrant Support Programme in 2016. This matches the allocation for 2015.

The closing date for applications for the 2016 round was 24^thFebruary 2016 and applications from over 230 organisations were received. Applications are currently being assessed with a view to awards for funding being approved and communicated to organisations in the coming months. One application for funding from Age Action was fast-tracked and awarded funding in the amount of €15,000 given the time-sensitive nature of the project.

A full list of previously funded organisations under the ESP can be found at .