Vol. 410 No. 7
9 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Labour if he will encourage DÍON to fund an information and communications paper in the English midlands to tap into the consumer market in England and to provide information for emigrants; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
State financial assistance to voluntary emigrant-support services in Britain is distributed on the recommendation of DÍON — the London-based advisory committee on emigrant welfare services. DÍON, on the basis of their assessment and analysis of the situation, determine their priorities, criteria and conditions for the grant of State aid. The policy of successive Ministers for Labour has been not to interfere with DÍON's deliberations.
In recent years DÍON have emphasised their concern to concentrate on improving the effectiveness of Irish organisations engaged in advice work and community care activity in Britain. Towards that end the committee have identified and published priority objectives for grant-aid purposes.
The DÍON committee have received almost 50 applications this year from organisations involved in voluntary activity in Britain. No application has been received regarding a newspaper, magazine or other publication circulating in the British midlands. DÍON expect to complete their assessment of project applications this month. This assessment will have to take account of DÍON's priorities and the availability of moneys.
In the past the newspaper referred to made an application which was ignored. In view of its contribution to Irish emigrants in the midlands and its potential for promoting Irish goods there if an application is made it should be considered more favourably than previously?
My information from the Irish Embassy in London is that it has not made an application. They may have made an inquiry but I will have the matter checked out for the Deputy.
