Vol. 488 No. 2
104 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the assistance and attention given by his Department to Irish emigrants who are over 60 years of age living in Great Britain and are either living in hostel accommodation, resident in hospitals or in homes of the aged; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5841/98]
The primary responsibility for the welfare of people living in Great Britain, regardless of their nationality, lies with the public authorities in that country. The Department of Foreign Affairs, through the Embassy in London, as part of its consular function has general responsibility for the welfare of all Irish citizens who are not also British citizens living in Great Britain, of whom there are many hundreds of thousands. Issues affecting Irish emigrants are monitored by an interdepartmental committee on emigration chaired by the Department of Foreign Affairs.
The Government gives financial support from the Enterprise, Trade and Employment Vote through the DÍON Committee, based in the Embassy in London, to voluntary Irish welfare and advice organisations serving the needs of disadvantaged Irish people in Great Britain, including those over 60 years of age who may be isolated and vulnerable. This support takes the form of grants to assist the payment of salaries of professional workers employed by those organisations.
The Government is aware of the particular vulnerability of some elderly Irish people living in Great Britain and the voluntary Irish organisations which attend to their needs will remain a priority for grant assistance through the DÍON Committee.
