Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 9 Apr 1992

Vol. 418 No. 6

Adjournment Debate. - Services for Emigrants.

Mr. Deenihan

I thank the Chair for allowing me to raise the problems of Irish groups providing emigration services in the US, after a number of requests. The Government reduced funding by 75 per cent, from £200,000 to £50,000, to groups helping Irish emigrants in the US in 1992. The money will be spent on services nationwide, by 13 agencies in cities like New York, Boston, Chicago, Philadelphia and San Francisco. There is a stronger case now than ever before for comprehensive services for the new Irish arriving in the US. The services are in serious jeopardy because of the decreased funding.

We appreciate that over 66,000 green cards will be issued to Irish people from 1987-1994, but unless strong support services are established in New York where the greater concentration of emigrants are, these people will have a hard time making a positive adjustment. Emigrants either succeed or fail to relocate successfully in the first month after their arrival. They must find jobs and compete in a tight jobs market. They have to compile resumés and upgrade skills to qualify for jobs. They are some of the basic needs. Even more serious issues arise which present an ongoing need for services, for example joblessness, homelessness, psychiatric problems, single parenthood, work related injuries, alcoholism, family breakdown and so on.

By 1994, 66,000 green cards will have been issued to Irish emigrants. About 18,000 Donnelly visas were issued between 1987 and 1990 and 48,000 Morrison visas will be issued from now until 1993. These people will need services. There will be a continuing problem with regard to illegal immigrants in the US who are even more vulnerable. New York is experiencing its worst unemployment rate for ten years, now running at about 10 per cent. Work in construction has been seriously affected.

Young Irish people coming to the US usually do not have any family to guide them through the complex process of adjusting to a new culture. Support organisations are crucial. When an Irish person arrives in the US, it takes three to six months for the green card to arrive in the post, it takes three to four weeks for the social security number to be issued and in the meantime the new emigrant has only a stamp on his passport which many employers will not accept as a work authorisation. In a severe recession, such as the one New York is experiencing, the Irish emigrant may take a month or two to find a job.

Due to the high cost of living the person may run out of money and may need help from an organisation with regard to housing, jobs and general information. Without the assistance of organisations such as Project Irish Outreach people arriving from Ireland are very vulnerable. Through this organisation new emigrants can avail of specialised services, for example free or low cost immigration attorneys, social workers, entitlement counsellors and so on. The demand for these services has not diminished in the past four years as more and more legal emigrants arrive in the USA. Legal Irish emigrants have great opportunities in the US. However, without support services they may miss those opportunities.

Minister of State at the Department of Foreign Affairs (Mr. Daly)

I thank the Deputy for his very constructive approach to this issue. I am aware of the Deputy's deep concern in this area for a number of years. I will be glad to discuss with the Deputy some of the issues he has raised.

The Deputy will be aware that this matter was discussed in the House on 20 February when it was raised by Deputy McGinley. It was raised again by Deputy McGinley yesterday in two questions for written reply by the Minister.

The reduction in this allocation reflects the current difficult budgetary situation and the need to find savings wherever possible. It was a reduction which the Government made most reluctantly. The figure of £200,000 better reflects the level of concern in Ireland for the welfare of our emigrants in the United States. I fully acknowledge that a high level of need remains for the services of the various immigrant groups. I am well aware of the very worthwhile work being done by them in the United States. I have every confidence that the moneys made available by the Government are being wisely and well spent.

During the Minister's recent visit to the United States he visited a number of Irish emigrant organisations in New York and saw for himself the excellent work being done by the dedicated staff, most of them volunteers, who operate these centres. While there, he assessed the situation facing our young emigrants. While the problems associated with the so-called undocumented Irish is gradually being eased — though it has by no means disappeared — a new set of difficulties are now arising as Deputy Deenihan said due to the current recession in the US. The Minister will certainly bear in mind these problems when considering how best we can continue to respond to the needs of our emigrants in the US.

It would certainly be a cause of regret if the reduction in the grant level were to lead to cutbacks in the services provided by these groups. I can assure the Deputy that the welfare of our emigrants will continue to be a priority for the Government and every effort will be made to ensure that their welfare concerns will continue to be met. With this in mind, we have asked the Consulates General in the US to keep in close touch with the situation and report on any significant deterioration that may occur.

In discussing this issue, we should not overlook the major improvement in the position of many of our emigrants in the US as a result, in particular, of the introduction of the Morrison visas. Over the three year period 1991-93, a total of 48,000 of these visas will be issued to applicants born in Ireland, and many of the beneficiaries of these visas are at present undocumented residents of the US. Many of these out-of-status immigrants are now able to adjust their status to that of permanent residents. Others going to the United States for the first time will have the right of full permanent residency from the date of their arrival. This does not absolve us from doing whatever we can to assist our citizens who may find themselves in difficulties.

As Deputies are aware the Minister recently decided to allocate special responsibility in this area to me as Minister of State. While in London for St. Patrick's Day I availed of the opportunity to meet many of the young people and representatives of the county associations and I had some discussions with them as to how best we can address some of the issues. I propose to visit the US shortly to assess the current situation so that in the drafting of a long term policy in this area and in deciding long term priorities and commitments we can be fully aware of all the considerations involved. The question of support for emigrant advice services will be one of the matters to be considered in the context of the discussions I am presently undertaking, in view of the new responsibility that has been given to me.

I reiterate our intention to take corrective action in regard to this reduction if this is called for at any stage. I am aware that in many respects it is not solely a question of financial support but of guidance in a whole variety of areas. While financial commitments are essential to the carrying through of the work of these organisations, there is also a general recognition that what is needed is more contact and communication between us and the emigrant bodies overseas so that we can improve their conditions and maintain a closer dialogue. I intend to make a contribution towards the development of a long term framework and policy while I have responsibility in this area.