Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 10 Feb 1993

Vol. 425 No. 7

Adjournment Debate. - Foreign Affairs and Finance Matters.

Mr. Deenihan

Between 1987 and the end of 1994 over 70,000 Irish citizens will have received green cards to enable them to work permanently in the United States. This represents the largest legal migration from Ireland since the 1960s at a time of recession in the USA. In 1992, 11 groups across the US benefited from the £50,000 allocated by the Irish Government. This sum represented a reduction of 75 per cent on the 1991 figure. The services provided by the various groups include job placement, housing, health and maternity care, emigration advice, social services and pastoral counselling.

Since new immigrants are ineligible for any form of unemployment assistance for their first three years in the USA, assistance and guidance in their first year is crucial. Because of the decrease in grant-aid in 1992 several agencies had to curtail their services for the increasing number of Irish immigrants as more Morrision visas are taken up. According to some agencies in the US, some Irish immigrants are returning home to join the dole queues because immigrant agencies are struggling to provide help to get them employment with their vastly reduced resources. The services provided by many of the agencies are life supporting in emergency situations, where young Irish people have become jobless or homeless, have nervous breakdowns or are facing pregnancy as single parents, or become incapacitated because of an illness or injury.

Finally, I would like to remind the Minister that specialised Irish agency systems in the USA are vital if newcomers are to compete in a very competitive and tight job market. If they do not get intense assistance during their first month in the US they will run out of money and become exposed to many difficulties and dangers. In some cases they just return home. I would appeal to the Minister to ensure that grant-aid for US immigrant services is restored to at least its 1991 level of £200,000.

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

The various Irish immigrant assistance groups in the United States provide much-needed services in a variety of areas, not just for the undocumented Irish there but also for all newly-arrived immigrants from Ireland. These groups do very valuable work and have shown great commitment in their concern for Irish immigrants. The Government greatly appreciate that work and we are committed to giving whatever support is open to us to assist their activities.

Government funding for the work of immigrant assistance groups in the United States has been provided since 1990, when the problem of the undocumented Irish was identified as a serious issue. It has unfortunately not been possible to maintain the funding at the original level, due to the very serious budgetary situation. As Deputies, including Deputy Deenihan are aware, the budgetary constraints have not eased and therefore it has not been possible, despite every effort, to envisage an increase in 1993 in the allocation of £50,000 made available for immigrant advice services in the United States last year.

Our consulates in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston have made and continue to make immigration issues a priority in their work. In addition to the financial support by Government to the immigrant assistance groups, the consulates themselves devote very considerable time and resources to offering support and advice to immigrants. In this they work closely with the immigrant assistance groups in their areas and I believe the value of this support is much appreciated by the various groups.

The immigration working committees, established under the auspices of the consulates in the four cities, provide a useful forum for the exchange of information and views and represent an example of the kind of assistance provided by the consulates in this area. Additionally, the consulates have helped in arranging or have participated in seminars to advise on the visa application process under the Morrison visa programme. As the problem of the undocumented Irish in the United States begins to recede, the consulates are also now beginning to direct their attention, in conjunction with the immigrant assistance groups, to longer term needs of Irish immigrants in the US — such as job placement, social services entitlements, educational and training opportunities. They will continue to be associated closely with the immigrant assistance groups in their efforts in these areas.

I wish to conclude by assuring the House, and Deputy Deenihan, that the Government will continue to keep the situation under close review and will maintain through our consulates the existing excellent working relationship with the immigrant advice groups so that the best possible service can be provided for our immigrants in the United States, given the limitations of the current situation.

Mr. Deenihan

Major repair work has been promised for Listowel Garda station for some time. It is an extremely busy station with a total of 27 staff, including 18 gardaí, two sergeants, three detectives, a superintendent, a district clerk and two female clerical assistants. The station requires a new roof as a matter of urgency. Slates have blown from the roof during times of high winds and they present danger to the public and the staff of the station. There is an urgent need to replace the existing windows, provide an interview room, a medical room, a recreational room, a locker room and proper showering facilities. There are no ramps, in the front or the back of the building, to allow easier access for the disabled. There is also a need for a new cell block, as the two cells are inadequate. Listowel is the only station with cells in a district which covers nine stations. During times of major events, such as Listowel races, the cells are in greater use.

There is also a need for the upgrading of fire safety standards, electrical rewiring of the station, the installation of heating and internal and external decoration. I appeal to the Minister to provide the necessary funding to ensure that the married quarters are converted immediately, that the accommodation in the station is brought up to standard and that an exceptionally hard-working staff can work in proper conditions.

Minister of State at the Department of Finance (Mr. Dempsey)

As the Deputy was informed in answer to a parliamentary question today, a scheme of improvement works for Listowel Garda station is being prepared and works will commence as soon as funds are available. I cannot say precisely when the funds to enable this project to proceed will be made available. The Deputy will realise that there are other centres where works of a similar nature are required and this works programme must be considered in its entirety when resources are being allocated.

The Dáil adjourned at 9.25 p.m. until 10.30 a.m. on Thursday, 11 February 1993.