Vol. 447 No. 11
27 Mr. M. Kitt asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs the amount of funding currently distributed to assist Irish emigrant organisations; the proposals, if any, he has to increase that assistance; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1430/95]
The Government is very conscious of the needs of Irish emigrants and we are providing support in a number of practical ways.
Since 1984, funding is being provided to immigrant assistance groups in Britain through the DÍON committee, which is chaired by an offical of the Embassy in London and which reports to the Minister for Enterprise and Employment. Grants totalling £500,000 were received by 36 groups in 1994. I understand that total funding is expected to be at a similar level this year.
The Government also helps to fund Irish immigrant advice and welfare organisations in the United States. Grants totalling about £150,000 were given in 1994 to 11 organisations based in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia and San Francisco. I envisage that a similar amount of funding will be provided in the Foreign Affairs Vote in 1995.
Through its Euroadviser network, FÁS has greatly strengthened its links with State employment services of other European Union countries. The Irish and British authorities also operate a Transfrontier Committee, under European Union auspices, which helps to resolve problems experienced by workers moving between the Irish and British labour markets.
The Government is generally satisfied that, bearing in mind the many other claims on public money, the level of support provided to emigrant organisations abroad is adequate; however, we will continue to monitor closely the needs of these organisations.
I thank the Tánaiste for his reply, but he did not say if there will be an increase in funding for 1995. Does he agree that there is an urgent need to help organisations here who are providing advice and counselling for people emigrating?
I intend to ensure that we maintain a level of funding given the demands on public expenditure and the necessity to keep within certain fiscal parameters. I am aware of the excellent work carried out by a number of organisations here in preparing people for travel abroad. While it does not come under my remit of responsibility, I am aware of the difficulty and if applications are made to various Departments I will support them.
In view of the commitment in the Programme for Government to provide an election among emigrants for three seats to the Seanad does he envisage a role for emigrant organisations in compiling a register for such a vote and, if so, would extra funding be justified on that basis?
There is a commitment in the Programme for Government to provide three seats in the Seanad for emigrants. I understand the necessary legislation is being prepared by the Department of the Environment. Obviously, when that legislation has gone through this House the question of funding will have to be looked at. These organisations already do excellent work on behalf of Irish communities abroad.
Will the cultural comittee of the Minister's Department be restructured to help emigrant groups involved in curtural activities or is that r role for another Minister? The Minister passed the last issue to another Minister but I hope his Department will be involved in this matter.
There are no proposals for the restructuring of the cultural relations committee in my Department. So far as I am aware, the cultural relations committee carries out excellent work in assisting individuals, groups and organisations who are going abroad and spreading Irish culture. I do not see my Department being in a position to assist Irish cultural organisations abroad. That is not the function of the cultural relations committee. Given the limited amount of funds available it would not be wise to impose further burdens on the cultural relations committee which carries out excellent work in its present format.
