Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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335. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of all applications made under the emigrant support programme from the US and Canada in 2022; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8213/23]

Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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336. To ask the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will provide a breakdown of organisations and groups that were awarded funding under the 2022 emigrant support programme; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8214/23]

Seán Fleming (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 335 and 336 together.

My Department attaches a high priority to the continued delivery of Global Ireland – Ireland’s Diaspora Strategy 2020-2025. This Strategy is built around five pillars, People, Culture, Influence, Prosperity and Values. The Emigrant Support Programme (ESP) is a tangible expression of the importance attached to our Diaspora. The ESP is administered by the Irish Abroad Unit of the Department of Foreign Affairs, in partnership with our Embassies and Consulates General abroad. Since its inception in 2004, the ESP has assisted over 530 organisations in some 40 countries with grants totalling over €220 million. It is a tangible expression of the Government’s support, commitment to, and interest in, Global Irish communities.

ESP grants facilitate Irish Government investment in global Irish communities via a range of welfare, cultural, community and heritage projects.

Through the ESP, the Government provides financial support to organisations engaged in the delivery of front line advisory services and community care to Irish emigrants, particularly to the more vulnerable and marginalised members of our community abroad, including the elderly. In addition, the ESP also facilitates Irish Government investment in a range of cultural, community and heritage projects, which foster a vibrant sense of Irish community and identity, as well as strategic capital projects.

Applications for 2022-23 ESP grants closed in February 2022 and the Irish Abroad Unit received funding requests from over 340 organisations.

With regard to the US and Canada for that funding year, ESP grant applications were received for 227 projects/programmes from 164 separate organisations based in US and Canada. Following consultation with the relevant Embassy or Consulate General, funding was awarded to 147 organisations in those two countries.

In respect of the US, applications were received for 183 projects/programmes from 125 separate organisations. For ESP grants in the 2022-2023 funding round, 114 organisations were recommended for funding, total payments were €4,225,301.

From Canada, applications were received for 44 projects/programmes from 39 separate organisations. For ESP grants in the 2022-2023 funding round, 33 organisations were recommended for funding, total payments were €657,315.

It should also be borne in mind that only organisations based in the United States and Canada are included.

However, certain ESP recipients based in Ireland may disburse grant funds in the United States and Canada, for example the Gaelic Athletic Association.

An overview of ESP spending in 2022 by region is given in the table below, while a detailed breakdown on the funding being provided to organisations in each country is being finalised and will be published shortly.

To further develop engagement with our Diaspora, and to assess progress in implementation of our strategy, the third Global Irish Civic Forum will be held in Dublin Castle on 20-21 April 2023. It will build on the work of the two previous forums (2015 and 2017) which brought together more than 200 participants from 150 Irish diaspora organisations worldwide. The working theme is “Together Again – Le Chéile Arís” - an opportunity to renew, in person, our relationship with the Irish diaspora, to take stock and discuss the wider challenges facing the Irish abroad.