asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will allocate a Minister of State to (a) specifically look after the welfare of emigrants and (b) promote ethnic connections with countries such as Great Britain, the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Argentina.
Written Answers. - Welfare of Emigrants.
21.
I have outlined to the House on several occasions the steps taken by the Government since they came to office two years ago to improve the services for Irish emigrants and to promote our connections with Irish communities overseas. I am satisfied that our embassies and consulates now have a clear brief to act on behalf of our emigrants in Britain, the US and elsewhere; that we have a network of services responsive to our emigrants needs; and that the Government's activities here at home are properly co-ordinated. In recent weeks the Government have doubled to £500,000 the allocation to DÍON, the advisory committee on emigrant welfare based in the embassy in London.
This work is a clear indication of the Government's commitment to our people overseas. I believe that the arrangements we have put in place work satisfactorily and the Government do not at this stage envisage a change along the lines raised by the Deputy.