Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Mar 1992

Vol. 417 No. 5

Written Answers. - Emigrants Services Funding.

John V. Farrelly

Question:

305 Mr. Farrelly asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the total amount allocated by his Department for the funding of voluntary groups in both the USA and the UK who are providing information centres for Irish people who emigrate for each of the past five years; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Proinsias De Rossa

Question:

306 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will outline the representations, if any, he has received from Irish immigrant groups in the United States, regarding the proposed substantial cutback for funding for Irish immigrant groups set out in the Book of Estimates; if, in view of the representations and the valuable services they provide, he will restore the funding; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Andrews)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 305 and 306 together.

Funds for immigrant groups in the US were provided by the Government for the first time in 1990. The sum allocated in that year was £200,000 and the same amount was allocated in 1991. The sum provided in this year's Book of Estimates is £50,000; this reduction in the allocation was reluctantly made by the Government in the light of the difficult budgetary situation and the need to find savings wherever possible.

Since the announcement of the 1992 allocation, I have received representations from, among others, Catholic charities and the Emerald Isle Advice Centre, both in New York, and the Irish Immigration Center in Boston. During my recent visit to New York, in the course of which I met representatives of immigrant groups and visited the Bronx Young Irish Centre, I had an opportunity to assess the situation at first hand. In the light of my discussions in the US. I propose to explore further what scope may exist for additional funding of immigrant groups in the current year.

Funding for immigrant groups in Britain is provided by the Department of Labour through the DION Committee which operates under the aegis of the Irish Embassy, in London. An amount of £250,000 per annum was disbursed in 1987, 1988 and 1989; this figure increased to £500,000 per annum in 1990 and 1991. A sum of £500,000 has been provided by the Government in the current year.