Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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400. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if the Government is providing support to an organisation (details supplied) here; if not, his plans to do so; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [35447/17]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme has never received an application for financial support from the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Therefore, no financial support is currently being provided to this organization via the Programme.

The Government of Ireland Emigrant Support Programme, administered by Irish Abroad Unit, is usually open for applications for a five week period in January-February each year. All organisations in receipt of funding through the Emigrant Support Programme must comply with a number of conditions, including those set out in Department of Public Expenditure and Reform Circular 13/2014 on Management of and Accountability for Grants from Exchequer Funds. Officials from the Irish Abroad Unit of my Department responsible for the administration of the Emigrant Support Programme briefed representatives of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust on the funding requirements in 2016 and met with the Trust again in April 2017. Representatives of the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust were invited to and attended the Global Irish Civic Forum hosted by then Minister of State for Diaspora Affairs Joe McHugh, T.D. held in Dublin Castle from 4-5 May 2017.

In addition, officials from my Department’s Consular Division are in regular contact with the Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust, primarily though the companies engaged by the Trust to help repatriate the remains of deceased citizens.