asked the Minister for Labour if he will comment on the valued work of the Irish centres in Britain in relation to Irish emigrants; and if he will outline the assistance given to these centres by his Department since 1982.
Written Answers. - Irish Centres in Britain.
69.
Since becoming Minister for Labour, I have had numerous meetings both here and in Britain with representatives of Irish organisations including the Federation of Irish Societies which is the umbrella organisation for Irish associations in Britain. I have also visited several Irish centres. These meetings and visits have given me a keener insight into the problems of Irish people seeking jobs in Britain and a fuller appreciation of the extent of the invaluable services provided by the Irish Welfare agencies there.
In recognition of the increasing pressure on the resources of Irish centres I have taken a number of initiatives to help them cope with the growth in the demand for their services.
I have reconstituted the Committee on Welfare Services Abroad, now called DION. DION has responsibility to advise on emigrant welfare services generally and, in particular, to make recommendations on the allocation of financial assistance provided by the Government towards the employment by Irish centres of professional workers to deal with the welfare problems of newly arrived Irish workers. The Committee on Welfare Services Abroad was largely Irish-based. In contrast, DION has four of its five members based in Britain and so, is clearly in closer touch with the situation there and is thus in a better position to represent the interests of the Irish in Britain. DION is chaired by the Labour Attaché at the Irish Embassy in London.
I am also in the process of improving the information and advisory services in Ireland for persons contemplating employment abroad in order to discourage unplanned emigration and to reduce pressure on reception services in Britain.
Since I became Minister for Labour, the Government have increased substantially the grants for the provision of emigrant advisory services, most of which goes to Irish voluntary bodies in Britain. The amounts involved in the period 1982-85 are as follows: 1982, £38,000; 1983, £38,000; 1984, £68,000; 1985, 104,000.