asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the generous response throughout the country to the appeal for funds for Irish centres in Britain, he is now prepared to supplement this voluntary effort with a reasonable State subvention; if not, why; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Irish Centres in Britain.
4.
The position remains as indicated in my reply of the 24th February last in which I referred to the assistance already available from official sources to Irish emigrants in Great Britain and in which I said that the Government were considering further ways in which to assist these emigrants.
Mr. O'Donnell
Would the Minister not agree that the tremendous response shown to the recent appeal for funds by the people of this country imposes some obligation on the Government to subvent this voluntary effort, or are we to take it that the policy of the Government is to leave the welfare of emigrants entirely to voluntary effort and public charity?
No. I think the Deputy should take it the Government are considering further ways in which to assist emigrants. Whether or not people who have given voluntarily should have some of their tax money given as well is another question.