Ivor Callely
Question:161 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he has satisfied himself with the support services available to people who emigrate from Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Support Services for Emigrants.
Support services available to emigrants include pre-departure advice from FÁS centres around the country and, in some cases, welfare and other assistance provided by host Governments in the countries of destination. Advice and assistance to many thousands of emigrants are provided by our diplomatic and consular offices abroad and by voluntary emigrant advice agencies, some of which benefit from financial assistance provided by the Government. The existing level of service will shortly be supplemented by FÁS officers who are being placed in centres in the Netherlands and Germany.
As I have already announced, the Minister of State at my Department, Deputy Brendan Daly, has been allocated special responsibility for emigrant issues. One of the matters which the Minister of State, Deputy Daly will keep under close review is the adequacy and effectiveness of the overall level of services available to our emigrants; I can assure the Deputy that every effort will be made to remedy any problems which come to attention.