Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 18 Oct 2000

Vol. 524 No. 3

Written Answers. - Grant Aid.

Brian O'Shea

Question:

46 Mr. O'Shea asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs if he will accede to the request from the Irish immigration centre in Boston, USA, for funding under the auspices of the grants to immigration welfare groups in view of the fact that more than 6,000 Irish people benefit every year from its help and advice and it handles 20,000 calls from vulnerable Irish people in distress. [22361/00]

Minister for Foreign Affairs (Mr. Cowen)

The Irish Immigration Centre, Boston, is one of many organisations in the US providing excellent advice and information services to Irish immigrants. Grants amounting to US $300,000 were given to 12 such groups from the Vote for Foreign Affairs this year. The Irish Immigration Centre, Boston, received a grant of $46,000 which represented an increase of $2,000 on the grant of $44,000 it received in 1999.