219 Mr. M. Higgins asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs his views on the Government's decision to cut DÍON funding by 5% to Irish community groups in Britain, following the recommendation by the task force set up by the Government to increase funding by 500%. [6580/03]
Responsibility for the DÍON fund was transferred to my Department from the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment on 5 February 2003. This was to comply with a recommendation of the task force on policy regarding emigrants which proposed that all Government funding for emigrant services should be brought together under the Vote for Foreign Affairs. It was not possible, therefore, for me to seek additional funding for this year.
The DÍON fund for this year is €2.573 million. While this is 5% less in euro terms than the figure for 2002, the appreciation in the value of the euro since then means that the sterling pound value of the fund will be maintained in 2003.
The Deputy will appreciate that the funding that can be provided for services to emigrants this year has had to take account of the overall budgetary situation facing the Government. My hope is that the report of the task force on policy regarding emigrants will provide a template for developing these services in the future.
The Government established an interdepartmental working group last October to examine the recommendations of the task force with a view to submitting proposals to Government for future action. The report of the working group will be finalised shortly.
